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NATURAL HISTORY
Serpe N T S:
IN TWO PARTS.
. The Firft exhibits a general View of SerPENTs, in their various
Afpects; fuch as their Kinds, Bulk, Food, Motion, Propagation, Co-
verture, Colours. In which is inferted a fhort Account of Vegetable,
Mineral, and Animal Poifon, particularly that of the SERPENT ; and.
its Cure in various Nations; where alfo the SERPENT is uled as
Food and Phylick.
II. The Second gives a View of moft Serpents that are known in the
feveral Parts of the World ; defcribed by their various Names, different
Countries, and Qualities.
Illuftrated with Coprir-Piates, Engraved by the
: Best Hanps.
Ill. ‘To which is added a Third Part; containing Six DisseRT A=
An RO ds
Tions upon the following Articles, as collateral to the Subject.
. Upon the Primevat SERPENT in PaRaDise.
The Fiery Serpents that infefted the Camp of Israert.
The Brazen SERPENT erected by Moszs,
The Divine WorsuiP given to Serpents by the Nations.
The Oricin and Reason of that Monstrous WorsuHiP.
. Upon the Aporarion of different Kinds of Beasts by the Ecyps
T1ans, with divers Inftances of the fame Stupidity in other Nations.
The whole intermix’d with Variety of ENTERTAINING DIGREs-
SIONS, PHILOSOPHICAL and HisToRICAL.
By CHARLES OWEN D.D.
LONDON:
Printed for the AUTHOR.
Sold by Joun Gray, at the Crofs-Keys in the Pouliry, near Cheapfide.
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Sir AZans Sloane Bar.
STR,
HE. SERPENT [| Suéjeé? of the follow-
ing Sheets, | being one part of your
__eelebrated and expenfive ColleQtion
of Rarities, naturally leads me to beg the
Honour of your Name to grace its Entrance
into the publick World.
I Can’? enter intothe vanity of thinking,
that the Book can be any improvement to
one who has been fo long and laborious an
Enquirer after Truth, and penetrated fo far
2 into
1V
DE DYCUTILON
into the Empire of Nature: but as in Divi-
nity, a willing Mind; fo in Learning, the
beft Endeavour will be accepted. And tho’
the Book cannot recommend it felf to you,
your Name may recommend it to others.
Happy are the Times, when Knowledge
is the ftudy of thofe who have fuperior Abi-
lities for it: Happy therefore is the prefent
Age, that has you, among many other Learn-
ed, fo eminent an Encourager of it.
_ THO’ elevated Minds dire€t all their con-
cern to what they /hould bc, and not to any
Applaufe for what they really are; yet, if
to delineate their Excellency be offenfive to
Modefty, the Sincerity with which it is done,
will, it ishhoped, fecure their Pardon.
Now, what is it that makes the great Cha-
racter, but Knowledge in all its diverfity, a
Sollicitoufnefs. for the Spread of Arts and
Sciences, excelling in one’s particular Station
of Life, and being divinely forward to all
the high Offices of sip >? ‘This is the
Picture
DEDICATION.
_PiQure of real Worth, and what can forbid to
fay, that Sir Hans SLOANE 1s the Life ?
THAT you may long continue the Re-
ftorer of Health, the Ornament of the Day,
and in triumph over all the deadly Power
of the O/d Serpent, at laft poflefs eternal
Health, are the moft fincere Wifhes of him,
who with a juft Senfe of Obligation, and the
sreateft Regards, is,
oy p.
Your moft humble,
and devoted Servant,
WaRrRINGTON,
Marchi, 1741-2.
Cha. Owen.
SN
Sy
TT
U dG new NG
FF AS) ENG,
es
Hite
LAE YL ye FaSNS,
LYK MOLL
READER.
bi E Divine Wifdom fo varioufly difplayed in the Works of
Nature, even the loweft Order of them, entertains the hu-
man Eye with Profpects exquifitely beautiful and pleafur-
able: As our Knowledge is defective, we are at a lofs how
to account perfectly for the particular. Endsof their Formation, and
Manner of their Subferviency to the Whole of the Eternal Defign.
HOWEVER, by Obfervation and Improvements in Natural
Philofophy, we are affured thus far; that as the Almighty Creator
made nothing in vain, fo all his Works are good, and admirably fit-
ted to anfwer the Purpofes of his Will, and that his Wifdom, like
bis tender Mercies, shines through all the Syftems of bis Creatures.
T HAT there 1s not a wife Purpofe in every thing that is made,
becaufe we do not underftand it, is as abfurd as for a Man to fay,
there 1s no fuch thing as Light, becaufe he is blind, and bas no Eyes
to fee it.
4 OR the Iiluftration of this, we may take a fhort View of
Creatures, in vulgar account too diminutive and defpicable a Species,
to deferve a clofe Attention: And among thefe, if we confider the
Noxious, we fhall find, if not an Argument why they /hould be made,
yet we fhall be able to difcern no Reafon why they fhould not, becaufe
their Noxioufnefs is not fo unavoidable, but that we may, and almoft
every one does avoid it.
GENERAL
PREFACE
GENERAL HISTORIES of thefe Kinds we have been
Surnifbed with in the Writings of the Learned : Here I apply myfelf
to the Difcuffion of one particular Species, viz. the Serpent : 7 which
I don’t pretendito new Di/coveries, but only to collect, and bring into
one View, what has been faid by different Perfons, which 7s not to be
found by any without many Books, and much Time; and which,
without the prefent Englith Dre/s, would not be underftood by others
at all. ae
IN accounting for Jome things relative to the Subject, I have al-
ways chofen theWords of the Learned in the Phyfical Profeffion.
TH E Subject being like Dutt, the Food of the Serpent, very dry,
I have endeavoured to give it fome Agreeablenefs, by a Variety of
Paffages from Hiftory, and Reflections of many kinds; which, though
they may not always naturally arife from the Subjeét, yet being in-
tended for the Reader's Entertainment and Inftruction (as he goes
along in the principal Defign of the Book) I hope they will find a fa-
vourable Ffudgment. -
GIVE me leave, upon this occafion, to adopt Sir William
Temple’s Words, viz. “ It is not perhaps amifs, /ays he, to relieve
“* or enliven a bufy Scene fometimes with fuch Digreffons, whe-
“* ther to the Purpofe or no.”*
I SHALE only add, that in cultivating this Subjett, I have
attempted to give a fhort Difplay of the Divine Perfections, which,
as they:appear eminent in the Syftem. of the Creation in general, fo in
the Serpent they may be feen in particular ; and if it produces in the
Reader a more exquifite Perception of God-in all his Works, I have my.
End, who az
Your Humble Servant,
* Temple's Memoirs from 1672 to 1679. Second Edits p. 575 58s 5q-
Vil
Directions for the Binder, where to put the Plates,
25 Ead Bocca; inftead of Baca.
25 Four: Lines from bottom, ’ after
honor, x. other.
4 Line 2. r. tho’ the Venom may.
53 After Dauphiny, r. and inftead of or.
58 Quotation, r. Natural Hiffory of Lan-
cafbire.
4 L. 14. inftead of Amphishenick Animals,
1. Whether there be two-headed Serpents
or not.
76 L.14. from bottom. for Zyzhon, r. Python.
95 Lig. r. made, for move.
109 L. 3. for could, 1. would.
tiz Lt. r. Quinquennian.
114 L 17. for emits, r. emit.
115 L.2. for if they, x. the wounded,
122 Head LXXXIV. r. Americina.
132 Head CXI. r. Agnafen.
134 =m CXIV. r. Aitaligatus,
Plate I. after p. 54.
Platel]. -- p.7o.
PlateIll. -- p.78.
PlateIV. - - - p. 86.
PlateV. --- p. 94.
>Plate VI. - - - p. 142.)
Plate VII. - - p. 152.
Pag. ERRATA. Pag. ERRATA.
141 Head CXXVI. for Navigation, t. Na-
‘~ tation.
147 CXXXIV. +. Reptiles and Infe&s.
148 Head IId. for it, r. them. :
162 Inftead of Demon, r. Damon. L. 4.
from bottom, in Quotation, F. mothe.
171 L.o. +. their other Faculties were.
195 1. Verdegreafe.
196 r. Nebufbtans.
211 r. Gades.
231 Dele 3.
237 L.14. a Comma should be after adore.
NV. B. In the Story of the Elephant, pag.
86. it is a miftake, to place the Action
at Newcafile; the Scene of it being in
the Eaf-Jndies, according to a Book cal-
led Hamilton's Travels.
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Mr. Edward Howle, Apothecary
7m Bath.
+ Bua.
Mr. Andrew Howard. . B.6.
Mr. Thomas Huckle.
Rev. Obadiah Hughes, D. D.
B. 16.
Mrs, Ph, Hughes,
Mr,.
XV
A Lift of the SunscriseErs.
Mr. John Hughes.
Rev. Mr. Ob. Hughes, a# Clifton.
Rev. Mr. William Hunt,
Phineas Hufley E/q.
Mifs Huthwait, a¢ Nottingham.
I,
Mr. Richard Iles, at Hertford,
Mrs. Anne Iles, af ditto.
Mr. Samuel Inglefant, at Not-
tingham.
Jofhua Iremonger E/q.
Mr. Matthew Iremonger, af St.
Albans.
Mr. John Ives, at Ware.
J.
Rev. Mr. John Jackfon, Prebend.
of Wherwel, &c. at Leicefter.
Henry Jacomb E/7. B. 2.
Mr. George James, zz Pem-
brokethire.
Mr. Thomas Jee.
Mir. John Jee “Funior.
Bartholom. Jeftery E/q. of Exon.
Rev. Mr. Jo". Jennings, at St Ives.
Mr. Obadiah Jones.
Rev. Mr. Sam. Jones, af Pentwyn.
Mr. John Jones, Merchant.
Rev Mr. Griff. Jones R. of Llan-
dowror.
Rev. Mr. Griff. Jones, /. of Llan-
dewey-Velfrey.
Mr. Richard Jones, Surgeon at
Coventry.
Rev. Mr. William Johnfton.
iS
—— Kay, M.D. at Manchefter.
Mr. Richard Kay, zear Bury,
Mr. John Kennedy, Merchant in
Exon.
Mr. John Kerfhaw, near Hallifax,
Rev. Mr. Geor ge Kilby.
Mr. King, Apothec. at Newbury.
Rev. H. Knight, M. A. at
Manchefter.
L.
James Lamb Eg. >
Mrs. Lamb.
Mrs. Mary Lamb.
Tho. Lane E/g. Coun/el. at Law.
Rev. Mr. William Langford.
Mr. Jof. Langford.
Jof. Langford E/7. of Basford.
Rev. Mr. N. Lardner.
Mr. Jac. Larwood ‘fun. Mer-
chant in Amfterdam.
Mr. Sam. Latham, Apothecary.
Rev.Mr.Lavington, of Exon, B.2.
Mr. Wm. Lavington, of ditto.
Andr. Lavington, M. D. of ditto.
Rev. Samuel Lawrence, M. D.
Mr. Edward Lawrence,
Mr. Leckonby, Merc. in Chefter.
—— Legh, D.D. VY. of Halifax.
Thomas Legh E/g. of Booths,
Mr. Jonath. Lees, z# Manchefter.
Mr. Thomas Lees,
Rev. Mr. Leigh, Archd. of Salop.
Mr. James Leigh, at Leeds.
Mr. Daniel Legg.
Mr. Pet. Legrand, a# Canterbury.
Rev. John Leland, D. D.
Mr. James Lemon, Fun.
Sam. Leffingham E/7. pieeaee
of St. Thomas’s Hofpztal.
Mr. Thomas Leffingham.
Mrs. Lethieullier.
Mrs. Sarah Lethieullier Fun.
~ James
A Lift of the SuuscripeErs.
James Lever E/g.
Mr. John Lewin.
Rev. Mr, Lewis, M. A. of Mer-
gate.
Rev. Mr. Benjamin Lewis, a¢
Leominfter.
Mrs. Lewis.
Mr. John Lingard, a¢ Man-
chefter.
Mr. Ralph Lingham,
Mr. George Lifle.
Rev. Mr. William Lifter.
Mr. Littlefear, Apothecary.
Alexander Littlejohn, M. D.
Mr. Richard Llewhelyn,
Pembrokefhire.
Mrs Lloyd.
Mr. H. Lloyd.
Mr. Benjamin Lomas.
Rev. Mr. Dav. Longueville, M.A,
Paftor of the Englith Church
zn Amfterdam.
Rev. Mr. Lord, a¢ Knutsford.
Rev. Mr. Lowe, of Lofco,
Mr. Robert Lowe.
Rev. Mr. Mofes Lowman.
Roger Lyde E/q; of Briftol.
Lionel Lyde E/q; of ditto.
Mr. John Lyde, of ditto,
72
M.
Rev. Mr. Daniel Mace, of New-
bury
Mr. Mackin Sfunior, at War-
rington,
Rev. Mr. Makant, at Chorley.
Mrs. Marthal.
Mr. William Marfhal, of Treby.
Mr. ‘Thomas Marfden, of Chor-
ley.
Thomas Mather, M.D. at Not-
tingham.
Mr. Ifaac Mather, Apothecary.
William Matfon Bi; at Ken-~
dale.
Mr. Hugh Matthews.
Mr. Henry Maundy.
Mr. William Maundy, a¢ Sand-
wich,
Rev. Mr. William Maurice,
Pembrokefhire.
Rev. Mr. Thomas Maurice, zz
Cardiganfhire.
Rev. Mr. William May.
Mr. John Meakin.
Mr. Nathaniel Meakin.
Richard Mead, M.D. aud F.R.S.
Phyfician in Ordinary to bis
Majefty, Hl CTeuephelop hed oe
Benjamin Mee Ef. .. B. 4.
Mr. Rob. Merry, at Liverpool.
Mr. John Merriman, at New-
bury.
Rev. Mr. H. Miles, a¢ Tooting.
Mr. James Miller.
Rev. Mr, Mills, at Maidftone,
Buz
Mr. Samuel Milnar.
Rev. John Milner, D. D.
John Mitchel, M. D.
Mr. Thomas Mitchel.
Mr. David Mitchel.
Mr. John Moore, Apothecary in
Bath.
Mr. Thomas Moore, of Knutt{-
ford, Singing- Mafter.
b
in
Mrs,
XV
RViil
A Lift of the
Mrs. Morley, at Nottingham. _
William Morehead E/q.
Mr. Robert Morgan, Surgeon,
Bae
Mr. Morgan Morfe, Actorney at
Law.
Rev. Mr. Mof.
Rev. Mr. William Moth, at Ba-
fingftoke.
Rev, Mr. Motterfhead, at Man-
chefter.
Mr. Thomas Moult, at Man-
chefter.
Mr. James Moulton.
Mr. John Moulfon, za Chefter.
Mr. William Mount, Baek
Mrs, Sarah Mount,
Mrs. Anne Mount,
Mrs. Eliz, Mount.
Mr. Peter Schout Muilman, Mer-
chant in Amfterdam.
Nir. Nicolaus Muilman,
zn ditto.
Mr. Dionis Muilman, d°. z7 d°.
Mr. Daniel Roelof Muilman, de.
in do,
Mr. John Murray, Merchant in
Chefter.
ditto
N.
Richard Nangreave, of the Inner
Temple, E/9;
Mr. llitt Narborough.
Rev. Mr. Daniel: Neal, M, A.
B. 5.
Mr. Ree Neal.
Mr. David Nefbet, of Glafgow,
B
7»
worrme——= Nettleton, M.D. of
Halitax.
SUBSCRIBERS.
Mrs, Anne Newey.
Mr. William Newham, at Not-
tingham.
Mr. John Newdigate.
Mr. John Newman,
Rev. Mr. Thomas Newman, B.2.
Mr. Nathaniel Newnham Fun.
Mi/s Eliz. Newnham.
Mr. John Newton.
Mr. Thomas Nicholas.
Mr. John Nicholfon, Merchant
at Liverpool.
Nicholfon, M.D.
Mr. John Nicholfon.
Mr. Benj. Noble. :
Mr. Samuel Noble, Attorney at
‘Taunton.
Rev, Mr. Norris, at Newbury:
Mr. William Norris,
Mr. Francis Norris.
Mr. John North, a¢ Ware.
O.
The Right Rev. Thomas Lord
Bifkop of Oxford.
The Right Hon. Arthur Onflow
E/q; Speaker of the Houfe of
Commons,
Mr. Samuel Ogden, Merchant at
Liverpool.
Mr. John Oldham.
Denzil Onflow Ej; Member of
Parliament,
Mr. Orchard.
Rev, Mr. Job Orton, of Salop.
Mrs. Ofborne.
Mr. 'Thomas Ofgood.
Rev. Mr, Ofland, of Bewdley.
Mr. Jofiah Owen, of Widdens.
Rev.
F
&
A Lift of the SupscRiBeRs.
Rev. Mr. Jofiah Owen, at Roch-
dale.
P.
Mr. Thomas Page, . . B. 2.
Mr. William Paget.
Nathaniel Paice BY. . . Bia.
Rev. Mr. Geo. Palmer, a¢ Swan-
Zey, : ; " Nir
Rev. Mr. H. Palmer, zz Pem-
brokefhire.
Mr. Thomas Pangbourne.
Mr. Bartholomew Par, Surgeon
7 “Exon.
John Par, M.D. at Knutf-
ford.
Mr. Edw. Clark Parith.
Mrs. Anne Parker, a¢ Bath.
Rev. Mr. John Partington,
M. A.
Mr. Thomas Parfons, zz Briftol.
Mr. John Patch, Surgeon in
Exon.
Mr. Paul, Surgeon.
Mr, Nathaniel Peacock, of High-
Legh.
Rev. Thomas Pearce, M. D.
Mr. John Pearle.
Mr. Thomas Peck “funzor.
Rev. Mr. John Peirce, at Mere.
Mr. Jof. Peirce.
Mr. James Peirce, at Newbury.
Mrs, Aldrefs Pennel.
Mr. H. Pennel, a# Knutsford.
Mr. Thomas Penny, at Bath-
wick,
Rev. Mr. John Penny, /. of
Afhton,
Thomas Percival, M. D.
Mr. James Percival, Merchant in
Liverpool.
Mr. Henry Perkins, Merchant
im Chetter.
Mr. Nicholas Peters, Surgeon at
Topfham.
Mr. Pettit.
Mr. John Phillimore.
Mrs. Phillimore.
Rev. Mr. Lewis Philips, 2 Car-
marthen hire.
Rev. Mr. John Philips, at Kine
ley.
Mr. Rohe Philpot, 2 Chefter.
Mr. John Philpot, zz ditto.
Mr. Robert Phipps.
John Pickering E/q; of Chethire.
Mr. James Pilkington.
Rev, Mr, Pilkington, a¢ Prefton.
Rev. Mr. Pilkington.
Mr. Edward Pitts.
Rev. Mr. Michael Pope.
Mr. Miles Poole, of Kingfton.
Mr. Wiiliam Poulfon.
Mir. Thomas Pougf her.
William Powel Ejg; of Clap-
ham.
Mr. William Powell.
Mr. Benjamin Powell.
Mr. John Poyner, az Iflington.
Mr. William Price.
Rev. Mr. Samirel Price.
Mr. Jonathan Priefily, near Ha-
lifax.
Mr. Stephen Prutheroe, of Ha-
verford- Welt.
Mr, Smoult Pye.
b 2 R. The
X1x
XX
A Lift of the Susscrizers.
R.
The Right Hon, the Countefs of
Rothes.
Mr. Daniel Radford.
Mrs. Radford.
Mifs Mary Radford.
Rev. Mr. Ogle Radford.
Matthew Raper E/q;
Mofes Raper, E/q;
Mr. Mofes Raper.
Mr. Peter Rafbotham, at Man-
chefter.
Mr. John Ratcliffe.
Mrs, Rawlins.
Mr. William Rawfon.
Mrs. Rawftorn, 72 Canterbury.
Mrs. Raymond.
Rev. Mr. Kirby Rayner, zz
Briftol..
Mr, Jof. Rayner, at Leeds,.
Rev. Mr. H. Read.
Mr. Simon Reader.
Rev: Thomas Rennell, D..D.
Rector of Drewfteington, De-
vonfhire..
Mr. John Reynolds.
Majter Richard Reynolds, a¢
Hertford.
‘Mr. Rhodes, at Nottingham.
Mr..George Rhodes, Surgeon at
Modbury.
Richard Riccards B/@..
Rev. Mr, Richards, 72 Bruftol,.
Mr. Travers Richards,
Mr. John Richards.
Mr. Richard Richardfon, @¢ Li-
verpool..
Mr. John Rigby, a¢ Manchefter..
Mr. John Roberts..
Mr. Richard Roberts.
Mr. William Robinfon.
Mr. Samuel Robinfon.
Mr. James Roffee.
Mr.. Thomas Rogers.
Rev. Mr. Ca. Rotheram, at
Kendal.
Mr. Geo. Ruck.
Rev. Mr. Rudfdale, af Gainf-
borough..
Mr. Sampfon Salt, at Macclef-
field.
Rev. Mr. Edward Sandercock.
Mr. Edward Sanderfon.
Mr. Nathaniel Sanderfon.
Rev, Mr.. J. Sandford, at Poa-
tefract,
Servington Savery E/7; of Exon,
B
ge
Mr. John Savidge.
Rev..Mr. Samuel Say.
Mr. Edward Score, Book/eller in:
Exon.
Mr. Daniel Scot, Apothecary.
Mr. Robert Seagrave, at Not—
tingham.
Rev. Mr. Arthur Shallett,
Mrs. Sharp, of Treby..
Mr. Peter Sharp.
Mr. Edward Shepheard, . B. 4.
‘Thomas Shepherd E/g. of Ken-
dal
Mr.. John Sherbrook,. of Notting-
ham.
Mr. John Sherbrook.
Mr. Nathaniel Sheftield,. 4¢for=
ney at Law.
Mr. Ellis Shipley, Attorney at
Leicefter..
Rev,.
A Lift of thee SupscRIBERS.
Rev. Mr. Sidebottom.
Rev. Mr. Jof. Simmons.
Mr. Nathaniel Simpfon.
Mz/s Simpfon.
Rev. Mr. Patr. Simpfon, at Co-
ventry.
Mr. William Slinger.
Rev. Mr. James Slofs, at Not-
tingham.
Mr. ‘Thomas Smallwood.
Mrs. Eliz. Smith.
Mrs. Sarah Smith.
Mrs. Margaret Smith, at Man-
chefter.
William Snell £/7..
Mrs. Staples.
Mr, Staples.
Rev. Mr. Jof. Standen..
Rev. Mr. Stanley.
Mr. Frederick Stanton.
Mr. Jof. Stell, a¢ Keighley.
Mrs. Stephens of Epfom.
Rev. Bennet Stephenfon, D,D,
of Bath, eee
Mr. John Steward.
Mr. Samuel Steyart.
Mifs Mary Stile.
Jdr. John Stockport, at Man-
chetter.
Rev. Mr. Stoddon,.e¢ Taunton.
Mr. Stone, at Treby.
Mr. Jof. Stubbings, at Brock-
ftow
Rev William Stukely, M.D. and
Pak.S
Mr. Gerrard Suffield.
John Sutton, M.D. of Lei-
cefter.
Mr. John. Swain, at. Walfal..
Ba2..
Mr. Robie Swan, at Notting-
ham.
Mr, James Smith, Banker in
Dublin.
Rev. Mr. Swinton, at Knutsford,
0p
Mr, Henry Tatham..
Mr. William Tatnall.
Mrs. Anne Tatnall.
Mr, Samuel Taylor,
chefter.
Mr. Richard Taylor, az ditto,
Mr. Sam. Taylor, at Rochdale.
Mr. William Tayler, . . B. 2
Mr. John Taylor, at Manchetter.
Mrs. Mary Temple.
Szr John Thompfon Kut. and.
Alderman of London,
William Thomas E/q;
Rev. Mr.
Carmarthen,
Rev. Mr. protect
Rev. Mr. Thomas Thorburn, aé
Keighley..
Mr. William Thornhill, Sen.
Mr, Thomas Tipping, at Man--
chefter.
Mr. John Tomlins,
Rev. Mr. Haac Toms,
Mr, John Toms,
Rev. Mr. Matt. Toogood.
Mr. Richard 'Tottie, at Leeds,
Mr, Cha. Totterdel, Surgeon.
Mr. Thomas ‘Touchet, at Man-
chetter.
Mr. John Touchet, a¢ ditto, .
Mr. Peter Vouchet,.
Te Mr's;.
at Man—
Samuel ‘Phone at
ae 6..
XXL
XXi1
A Lift of the SusscrirBers.
Mrs. Jane Trimnell.
Mr. Eben. Triftram, at Chefter.
Mr. Jonathan Tucker, Merchant
zm Exon.
Mrs, Turner, 7m Canterbury.
Mr. Thomas Turner, at War-
rington.
Mr. John Twells.
Thomas Tylfton,
Chefter.
MEN: 772
\Ue
Mr. Jonathan Underwood.
V.
Rev. Mr. Thomas Valentine, af
Epfom.
Mr. Vawdry.
Rev. Mr. Venables, at Ofwe-
ftry.
Mr. William Venables, 7 Chefter.
Mr. Mafon Victor.
Mr. Jot. Vipen, at Sutton-Golt.
Mr. Henry Viffer, Merchant in
Amfterdam.
Mrs. Catharina Viffer, 2 ditto.
Mr. Abraham de Vrijer, Mer-
chant in ditto.
W.
John Wade E/g; of Gloucefter.
Mr, Abel Wainwright, at Not-
tingham.
Rev, Mr. Wainman, at Pudfey.
Mr. William Wakeford, at Odi-
- ham.
Mr. Daniel Walker, at Man-
chefter.
Rev. Mr, John Walker, M. A. -
Anthony Walburge 2/9;
Rev. Mr. John Walrond, i
Exon.
Henry Walrond E/q; zn ditto,
Mr. Samuel Waring, at Bury.
Rev. Mr. Ward, V. of Prefbury.
Mr, Edmund Warkman.
Mr, John Warner.
Rev. Mr. Warren, at Coventry.
Mr. Robert Waftfield.
Rev. Ifaac Watts, D.D. B. 2.
Richard Watts, M.D.
Mr, Joel Watfon, Merchant.
Mr. Michael Watfon.
Mr. 'Thomas Watfon Fun.
Mr. Weaver.
Mr. Jof. Weaver.
George Wegs Ej;
Mr. B. Wellington, Surgeon at
Hertford.
Simon Welman E/q;
Mr. John Wells, Aftorney at
Law.
Rev. Mr. Welth, aé Roffendale,
Mr. Thomas Weft.
Mr. John Wetton.
Mr. John Wheelwright.
Mr, White.
John Whitby E/g; of Stafford- _
fhire.
ford.
Mr. ThomasWhitaker, at Leeds.
John Whitty Funior, M.D. at
Lyme. : : B. 2.
Mr. Cbadiah Wickes.
Rev. Mr. Willets, at Newcaftle-
under-Line.
Mr. John Wilkinfon.
Mr. Vho. Wilkinfon, et Arnold.
Francis
3
A Lift of the SunscriBERs.
Francis Wilkes E/7.
John Wilkes Efy. at Croydon.
Mr. Jof. Williams, at Kidder-
minfter. B.2.
Mr. Thomas Williams, a¢ Ha-
verford-Wett.
Mr. John Williams, af ditto.
Clerke Wilfhawe, M.D.
Mr. William Wilfon.
Mr. Samuel Wilfon.
Mr. Wimpey, Book/eller at New-
bury.
Henry Winder, D. D. at Liver-
pool.
Mr, John Withers, zz Exon.
Mr. Peter Woodcock, Merchant
at Warrington.
Mr. William Woodcock, of d°.
Mr. John Woodcock.
Rev. Mr. James Wood, Lanca-
fhire, k BL7:
pe John Wood.
. Nathaniel Wood,
Wend
William Woodhoufe, M.D. a¢
Leicefter.
John Godden Woolfe E/q;
Wight Woolley E/7;
Ghuist
Houlton Woolley E/qs
Mr. Tho. Woolrich, a¢ Leeds.
Mr, John Worfley, a¢ Hertford,
B,
Rev. ie Hugh Nort ustion, in
See
Rev. . Hugh Wortunstert
M. me at Leicefter.
Rev. Mr. Sanuel Wreyford.
Rev. Samuel Wright, D.D. B.2.
Henry Wright E/q; of Mobberly.
Mr. Samuel Wright.
Rev. Mr. Witter, af Aull. B.20.
Mr. "Tim. Wylde, Merchant.
Rev. Mr.Wylde, at Nottingham.
Mr Maac Wylde, at ditto.
Yi
Mr. William Yarnold.
Rev. Mr. Rob.Yates, at Darwen.
Jof. Yates E/9; of Manchefter.
Rev. Mr. Geo, Lewis Young.
Mr. Edmund Atkinfon.
Mrs. Fletcher funzor.
Mr. William Fofter.
XXIll
a Bey
= won
M
al as
= ff) Se = SS Pare (02
ey So Sue $e
5 = Sy
f 4 See oaeONeS LY
a
f Za Ya; a A WZ
NX
NATURAL HISTORY
OF
Shak PoE No TS
PibAciRY a co
SE Gy Tt Orne
Be GIN with the Divifion of Serpents, which I diftri-
bute into Terrefrial, that live upon Land only ;
alias that live in Water ; and Ampbibzous, that
j inhabit both Elements. Under thefe I comprehend
a oe: al the Relatives to the venomous Tribe. But how
can Land- Serpents live in Water? I anfwer, their Bodies are
equally formed for both Places.
A mone Animals, fome breathe by Lungs, and others by Gi//s,
as all fanguineous F ith, (excepting the Whale. ) By Gills, I mean
thofe membranous cartilaginous Parts on both fides the Head,
whereby they hear and refpire: What we call Gz//s in Fifh, are
properly their Lungs. Refpiration (which is an involuntary Mo-
tion of the Breaft, whereby Air is alternately taken in and thrown
out) is as neceflary to Fith as to Land-Animals : In Water, is u
great Quantity of Air inclofed, and it is that Air they refpire, and
by their Gzl/s they eps wate the Air from the Water, and prefent
it to the Blood, after the fame manner as ‘tis prefented to the
Lungs of Land-Animals,
B THE
A NATURAL HISTORY
Tue Gulls of Fith have an alternate Motion of Dilatation and
Compreffion ; when they dilate their Gills, the Water is taken
in; when they contrac them, ’tis expelled again. Thus the
Water is carried in by the Mouth, and carried off again (ftript
of its Air) by the Gz//s, which perform the Office of Lungs. Their
fucking Water is Breathing, and their Food as little of Water,
perhaps, as other Creatures ufe.
SERPENTS will fwim in all Liquids; this appears in the
Experiment made by a /earned Italian, who puta Serpent into a
large Glafs-Veflel of Wine, where it lived fwimming about fix
Hours : and when it was by force immerfed and kept under that
Liquid, it lived only about an Hour and a half. He put ano-
ther in common Water, where it lived three Days; but when
it was kept under Water, it lived only about twelve Hours *.
SoME Serpents are reptitious, creep on the Belly, and fome
have Feet ; the Form of their Legs is peculiar and different in
divers Species, whence the flow Motion of fome, and wonderful
Agility and Swiftnefs in others: Their Feet are fome cloven (as it
were) into Hoofs, others divided into Claws, with Variety of dif-
ferent Nails to anfwer the feveral Purpofes of Life ; among them
are Flying Serpents: for which purpoie, they are furnifhed with
Wings to buoy themifelves up in the fluid Air, whereby they
keep their Bodies on a’ due Balance in their Motion.
SERPENTS are provided with Tails of different Length
and Size ; thefe alfo are neceflary to adjuft their Motion, and
guard them againft Stimulation of Flics. In winged Serpents, the
Tail ferves as a Rudder to govern them in flying through the Air;
and, in the marine Serpents, they ferve as Oars. But another fays,
the flying of a Bird, in effect, is quite a different Motion from
the failing of a Ship : Birds don’t vibrate their Wings towards the
Tail, as Oarsare ftruck towards the Stern, but waft them down-
ward ; nor does the Tail of the Bird cut the Air at might Angles
as the Rudder does the Water, but it is difpofed horizontally, and
preferves the fame Situation what way foever the Bird turns +.
THEY ate painted with variety of Colours, as red, black,
white, brown, green ; the Compofition of thefe, in fome of their
Garnitures, forms Beauties exquilitely fine. Some of them have
very little Eyes, others large ones: Some wound with their Teeth,
others
* Fr. Redi Exper. circa res nat. p. 170. } Borelli.
DSI
OF SERPENTS.
others with the Tail that terminates in a Siing, which is an
Apparatus in the Body of certain Infeéts like a little Lance,
ferving them as a Weapon of Offence. Mention is made by
Hiftorians of harmlefs Serpents, and of Perfons who have tamed
Serpents, and whofe Hair has been kifled by a tame Dragon, and
which, with its Tongue, gently lick’d its Mafter’s Face *.
Tue Serpent feems to be one of the diftinguifhed Favourites
of the Air, feeing it fubfitts by aerial Food all Winter; that is, in
thofe Regions where it dare not turn Ranger. Sleep is the Nurfe
of Nature, a Nurfe that greatly indulges the animal Spirits, and,
by artefting voluntary Motion, prevents their daily Confumpition,
and, at the fame time, allows the perpetual Motion of the Ar-
teries, Veins, Heart. We know but little of the real peculiar
Nature of what we call Air, only that it is the moft heterogeneous
Body in the World, a kind of fecondary Chaos, being a Compound
of minute Particles cf various Kinds, Earth, Water, Minerals,
Vegetables, Animals, vc. collected either by folar or artificial
Heat.
Tuest Particles together conftitute an Appendage to our
Earth, called Atmofphere ; or that thin, elaftic, fluid Mafs, wherein
we live, move, and have our being ; which Air we continually
receive, and expel by Refpiration, and no Animal can live, or
Vegetable grow without it.
Tuus Serpents inclofed in the Receiver, are immediately
(I may fay) ftarved when deprived of Air, which is their only
Winter-F'ood.——NV. B. Whatever is put in a Receiver fo ex-
haufted, is faid to be put zz Vacuo: Animals that have two Ven-
tricles, and no Forazien Ovale, as Birds, Dogs, Cats, Mice,
die in it in lefs than half a Minute ; a Mole died in ene Minute ;
a Bat lived feven or eight; Infects, as Wafps, Bees, Grafhop-
pers, feem dead in two Minutes -f.
Nor will any Vegetation proceed in Vacuo, or without Air:
Seeds planted will not grow. OxsyecTion. Beans grow in Va-
cuo. I anfwer, they grow a little tumid, but that kind of Vege-
tation is only owing to the Dilatation of the Air within’ them ;
they fwell a little by the Expanfion of the Air, but they never
bud,
Be AMONG
* Raii Synopfis, lian, Hift. + Derham.
GS
A NATURAL HISTORY
A mMoNnG the Ancients were very ftrange Notions about the Or7-
ginal of Serpents, and other Animals: Bees, fays a certain Ora-
tor, Hiftorian, and Philofopher, were bred from the Carcafs of
Oxen; Wafps from the Corruptions of Horfes ; Beetles from Affes ;
and Serpents from human Marrow: Hence they confecrated a
Dragon to Kings and Princes, asa Creature peculiar to Man *.,
I Don’t know how to form an Apology for the old Philofo-
phers, whofe Account of {pontaneous Generation is perfectly ro-
mantick : What can be more fo, than to fay Frogs are engendered
of Slime, or in the Clouds, and dropt down in the Showers of
Rain? So the Egyptians faid, that Mice were produced from
the Mud of N/us, and Infects from putrified Matter animated by
the Sun. The Principle of this equivocal Generation, was the
old Doétrine of Hgypt, and now juftly exploded, as contrary to
Reafon and common Senfe, as well as to the Defign of the
Creator in making Animals Male and Female ; the End of which
Difference in Sexes, all Animals exactly anfwer, as if they were
endued with human Reafon. No Woman more tender of her
Babe, or careful in providing for it, than Animals are of their
Young Ones.
SH Ciel, Orne
HE Knowledge of mere Animals (who have no School for
Arts and Sciences) is moft furprifing ; thefe without vifible
Initructors, know how to perpetuate their Species to the End of
the World ; and how to order their Eggs, as thofe, who are ap-
prized, their Succeffors were contained in them, and that it was
in their power to produce them, and to perpetuate, or keep up
the Name of their Family.
Tue Serpentine Animals are thus taught by Nature; thefe
differ in the Mode of Propagation ; fome of them are vivipa-
vous, an Epithet applied to fuch Animals, who lay their Eggs
within their Bellies, who bring forth their Young Ones alive and
perfect, as Vipers, Sheep, Hares ; others are ovparous, and bring
forth their Young from Eggs, as Serpents, Snakes, Lizards,
Frogs, Salmon, Tortoife, Herrings, Ge +f.
In
* Plutarch’s Lives of Cleomenes and Agis. + Omnia ab ovo animalia.
OF SERPENTS.
In this Contrivance of Male and Female, and different Me-
thod of Multiplication for perpetuating the Species, we may fee an
admirable Inftance of divine Wifdom: Bat for this Difference in
Sexes, there would be no Increafe of Serpents nor other Animals.
The oviparous and viviparous Manner of Propagation is as won-
derful ; for,
W ere theyall vzveparous, that is, brought forth living Births,
there would be but a {mall Number, and not fufficient to fupport
the whole animal Body: Corn, Grafs, Fruits, &c. are no Pro-
duction of the Sea, therefore can be no Food for Fifh: The Al-
mighty Creator fo ordained it, that they fhould feed one upon
another ; and this made it neceffary that they fhould be ovsparous,
that they might increafe in great Plenty, which they could not do,
if they were of the weuzparous Kind ; that is, brought forth their
living Offspring, as Vipers, Sheep, Hares, Cows do.
BuT Fifth being covparous, propagating ther Kind by Eggs,
which, for Number, are infinite, their Progeny is innumerable,
and fufficient to fupport all the Branches of the Marine Family ;
even the leffer Kind of Fith fend forth an incredible Number of
Spawn.
On the other hand, if four-footed Beafts were propagated by
Eggs, they would foon cover the Face of the Earth, without a
daily Deftruétion of them, which would take up no little time,
tho’ an Army of Nimrods were employed. Birds increafe by Eggs,
and bring forth great Numbers; and perhaps, for this reafon,
that Birds of Prey and Serpents, Kitchens, &c. might not want
proper Supplies. Now, if a Female Bird was great with fix or
twelve Young Ones at once, the Burden would be intolerable, her
Wings would fail, and fhe would become an eafy Prey to her
Enemies.
Bur you will fay, what if they none pith only one or two
at a time, till they amounted to the utual Number of their Egos P
I anfwer, that then they would be troubled all the Year long
with feeding their Young, or bearing them in their Womb.
T w 1s Production of Creatures by Eges, is a wonderful Pha-
nomenon in the animal World ; the Eggs are fhelly and hard, to
preferve the included Embryo from -Accidents, and to contain
fuitable Nutriment for it. ”Tis obfervable that Chickens, while in
their dark embryotick State, are nourifhed by the Wiite alone, til!
grown
AN AV ORR A Et S IM hk, Y
grown big, and then feed on the Yolk, as the ftronger Diet ; and,
when that is confumed, the Shell opens, and lets out the Prifo-
ners.
TuoucuH all Fowl are hatched from Eggs, yet it is not al-
ways by the Parent’s Incubation, or Brooding, but by fome other
Warmth: The Tortoi/e is faid to lay no lefs than fifteen hundred
Eggs, which fhe covers in the Sand, and leaves the Sun to hatch
them. The Eggs of the Ofrich * are hatched after the fame man-
ner; fo the Serpent lays, and leaves her Eggs in the Dunghill.
Tue Eggs of Serpents, and certain other Animals, are Parts
formed in the Qvaries of the Female, covered witha Shell, which
includes an Embryo of the fame Species. Inthe days of old, the
Egg was the Symbol of the World; the World, by Tradition, be-
ing made of an Egg : Hence Eggs became of fingular Impor-
tance in the Sacrifices of Cybele the Mother of the Gods. Some
of the Pagan Deities were faid to be produced from Eggs.
In fome Parts of fia, and at Grand Cairo in Egypt, they hatch
their Chickens in Ovens ; each Oven contains feveral thoufand
Eggs which the Country brings in, and have their Eggs returned
in Chickens.
By this Method, they generally want fome integral Part, as
an Eye, a Claw, @c. which may be owing to a Want of equal
Impreflion of Heat, tho’ the artificial Warmth be continued.
There are thoufands, yea Millions at a Batch, thus produced in
Egyptian Ovens ;—and may as well be in Ezrope, if our Bakers
had the knack on’t. An Experiment has been made by a Duke of
Tufcany, who having built fuch Ovens, did produce living Chic-
kensin the fame manner.
Unovenr this Section, I fhall confider the wonderful Sagacity
of Serpents, in chufing their Paths for Deambulation, and finding
out proper Receptacles for their Repofe and Security in Winter ;
and that in Climates that are Oppofites in their Nature.
In Summer, generally fpeaking, they are found in folitary and
unfrequented dry Situations; others delight in moorifh fenny
Grounds; and in hot Countries, near to Groves, Rivulets—Theie,
like other Animals, ftrily adhere to the Conftitutions of their
Family, without Deviation.
THEY
: . © Fob xxxix, 14, 15. Willoughly’s Ornithol. lib. ii. cap, 8.
OF SERPENTS.
Tuey take up their Winter-Quarters in Caverns, hollow
Places, Burrows, Rocks, old Hedges, and under the Roots of
Vegetables, efpecially the Birch, others fay Beech-Trees, which
were confecrated by the Pagans to the fupreme Numen.
In thefe lonefome Habitations they repofe themiéelves during
the Winter, in a kind of fleepy State, as half dead, with opex
Eyes *. In this Solitude they lie dormant, indulg’d ails a little
humid Be till the Sun, by its prance, into the northern Con-
ftellations, ‘reftores them to the ative Life ; ; without fome Air
they could not live. Mr. Boy/e made the experiment, by putting
Vipers into the exhaufted Receiver, which foon died upon pump-
ing out the Air.
Ir argues~no little Penetration, that they know when and
how to fhelter themfélves in Places of Safety in all Seafons; and
what is yet more aftonifhing, is, that they live there fo many
Months without Food and without Action; and when releafed
from their hybernal Confinement, how foon do they find out
their appointed Food ? Taken in this light, they are not fingular ;
for ’tis believed, there are other Ae ce ‘that pafs the aanters
Seafon in a ftate of Indolence and Inactivity, as Cuckows and
Swallows, making way by their Retreat for Woodcocks and
Fieldfeirs, which vifit us in Winter, and then return northwards :
They are faid to breed in colder Counties, as Norway, Rujffia
Sweden, and the Iffands of Orcades, the moft northern Parts of
Scotland ; which Iflands were formerly in pofieffion of the Nor-
WESLANS, ‘and given and annex’d to Scotland by Chriffiern 1, King
of Denmark and Norway, on the Marriage of his Daughter Mar-
garet, with ames Til. King of Scotland, about the Year 1474.
I r is probable, that when thefe northern Countries are buried in
Snow, and their Rivers are frozen up, thefe Birds take their Flight
hither, and fuch like Places, where they have accefs to Wi ater, Ore.
But as to Cuckows and Geallon as intimated above, ’ tis generally
allow’d that they fleep in Aico having, as “tis fand, been found
in hollow Trees and Caverns. N Jones this, at all unlikely 5 tho’
on the other hand, I can fez no Abfurdity in fuppofing that thefe
fhould go upon a Summer, as the other do upon a Winter Fil-
grimage; that thefe purfue a leffer Heat, as well as the others fy
from a greater Cold. Yea, Vegetables are iaid to fleep in Winter,
and
* Apertis Oculis. Conrad. Gefner, pag. 3. de Serp.
A NATURAL HISTORY
and to be awake and lively in Summer: During the Months of
their Reft, a quantity of Oil is laid up in them for their Defence
againft the Cold, ard in proportion to the Degrees of it, which
they are to fuftain; whence it is, that the Trees of the northern
Climates fo much abound with Oil.
Own the other hand, there are Reptiles and In/eéts that have
Senfe enough to lay up Winter-Store in Summer, as the Bee,
Wafp, Field-Moufe, &c. a Property foreign to the ancient Houfe
of Serpents.
In Summer, the Bees labour hard for Winter Provifion: As
foon as the Air grows mild and warm, they are out betimes, and
gather their Harveft from the Simples of the Fields, which they
fuck into their Bodies, and upon their Return to the Hive they
difgorge it, as Pigeons do their Food wherewith they feed their
Young. When the Bees have fill’d their Storehoufe with the De-
licacies of Nature, they lock the Doors, which they feal up with
delicate white Wax, to prevent the Emanation of the Honey,
which is a vegetable Juice: The Combs in which their Treafure
is lodg’d, are geometrically nice, and exceed the moft exquifite
Art of Man,
Tue Ants alfo in this refpect, are remarkable for Penetration
and Forefight. In America are Ants which raife Hillocks four or
five Foot high, and have fuch a way of cementing the Earth
about them, that ’tis as firm as Lime and Stone, which protects
them againft the 4nt-Bears, or Pifmire-eaters ; 7.¢. a kind of
Creatures as big as Dogs, that feed on thefe Infecs.
One obferves, that the Spaniards left famaica, and went to
Cuba, for this Reafon among others, becaufe their Childrens Eyes
were eaten by thefe Ants, when left by themfelves in the
Cradle *.
Cr yLon in the Ea/-Indies produces feveral forts of remarkable
Ants, particularly a large red kind, which make their Nefts on
the Boughs of great Trees, with Leaves wrapt together in Clufters,
in which they lay their Eggs: And another fort call’d Vacos,
whofe Hinder-part is white, and the Head red ; thefe fwarm
over the Land and devour every thing, but Stone and Iron: They
creep on Houfe-walls, and always build an Arch over themfelves 5
on thefe their Poultry live chiefly ; fome of them bite defperately.
To
© Sir Hans Sloan’s Introduétion to his Voyage, p. 68.
OF SERPENTS.
To thefe I might add the Wajps, that have their Winter-
Treafures in fubterranean Cells, and the Field-mice that know
the proper Seafon to gather Acorns, which they carefully hide
in hollow Places, (as Mole-runs) in the Earth. Thus we fee
no Creatures fo mean in our View, but a Ray of divine Wifdom
fhines in their Forefight and Contrivance: When we confider
how wonderfully thefe inferior Creatures are conducted in their
Operations, how punctually they obey the Laws of their Creator,
how folicitoufly every one propagates his Kind, and makes pro-
per Provifions for his Family; it looks as if it were done by fome
Principle that’s more perfect than the common Reafon of Man.
Neverthelefs ’tis paft doubt, that Brutes of the higheft Order,
and moft refin’d, are but Brutes, 7. ¢. irrational, and it’s well for
us they are fo.
Turis is call’d Infincé, a natural Difpofition, or Sagacity
wherewith Animals are endued; by virtue whereof they are en-
abled to provide for themfelves, know what is good for them,
and are determin’d to propagate and preferve their Species, In-
ftiné bears fome Analogy to Reafon or Underftanding, and fup-
plies the Defect of it in Brutes. The Narrative of Eve's Temp-
tation begins with affirming, The Serpent was more fubtle than any
Beaft of the Field. And Chri/t recommends the Wifdom of the
Serpent, but not without the Innocence of the Dove.
THE Proofs of its Subtilty are not fo obvious; fome produce
fuch as thefe, telling us, that the Serpent Cera/fes hides itfelf in
the Sand, with a view to bite the Horfe’s Foot that he might
throw the Rider. ‘facob feems to allude to this, in the Bleffing
he gave to Dan, of whom 'tis faid, Dan fhall be a Serpent by
the Way, an Adder in the Path, that bites the Hor/e’s Heels,
that his Rider fhall fall backward, Gen, xlix. 17. But more in
Part third.
pa SE C-
IO
A NATURAL HISTORY
SE OCP 1 -+O {N= HI.
ERPENTS are fuppofed to have many Enemies, befides
Man, as the Eagle, Hawk, Stork, Ibis, Ichneumon, Ma-
gaure, &c. I fhall only touch upon fome of thefe: Ibis isa
Bird of Egypt, and a faithful Ally inthe War againft Serpents ;
vaft Numbers of winged Serpents are annually bred in Arabic,
from whence, at certain Seafons, Swarms of them take their flight
acrofs the Red-Sea into Egypt: Upon the firft notice of their Ar-
rival, the Jd:dian Birds afiemble in ‘Troops, and immediately fly
upon the Invaders, and foon deftroy them. In the fame manner
they execute Vengeance upon the Serpents of Ethiopia, when
they moleft the Land *,
Tue Storks deftroy all Serpents that fall in their way, and
are fo greatly regarded in Theffaly for this kind office, that it is
counted a capital Crime to killa Stor?, and the Criminal is pu-
nifhed as in the cafe of Man-flaughter.
-- T HE Stork’s Bill is very long and fharp, with which it makes
a rattling kind of Noife: It is faid, the Chirurgeons have learn’d
the Clyfterick Art from thefe Birds.
The Storks alfo are efteemed the Clergy’s Friends, for the Au-
thor of the Book of Nature fays, they will not inhabit any City
in Germany, where no Tythesare paid tothe Prieft. An Ortho-
dox Brood of Birds!
W HEN Mofes conductedthe Egyptian Army againft the Erhio-
pians, he was to pafs through a Country full of Serpents, and to
fecure his Forces from them in their March, he carried with him
feveral of thefe Jbidian Birds, before whofe Fury they fell or
flediste
ICHNEUMON is a little Animal of bold Spirit, and a
great Deftroyer of Serpents, and therefore the Egyptians keep it
in their Houfes, as we do Cats; and the young ones are com-
monly fold for that end at dlexandria. In form it refembles an
over-grown Rat, and is called the Indian-Rat, and Pharaoh's
Rat; and by its mighty Atchievements, it muft be of fome con-
fiderable
3
* Conradus Gefn. p. 55. Ray. Gyllius. + Pliny’s Nat. Hif. Tomi. B. 10.
t Fofephus, B ii, Cap. v. p. 65.
OF SERPENTS.
fiderable Bulk; for in its Encounters with great Dogs, Crocodiles,
Serpents, &c. it generally comes off victorious: Upon their Ap-
proach it bunches up, and briftles up its Hair, in token of De-
fiance: It couches on the Ground, and leaps like a Bull-dog at
its Prey.
By fome it is call’dthe Lgyptzan Otter; ’tis of a dun Colour,
has round Ears, black Legs, and long Tail: It cannot endure the
Wind, and runs for Shelter, when it rifes, fometimes thrufting
its Head between its hinder Legs, in a round Form like a Hedge-
hog.
i HOSE Who have examined into Kites Nefts, have found
Vipers in them, which are fuppofed to be Food for their young
ones. In China is a little Creature like a Weezel, called Magaure,
that is a mortal Enemy to Serpents, which it kills by ftriking its
Teeth into their Heads. The Chameleon trembles at the Sight of
this little Furiofo *; whofe Ears are fhort and round, its Nofe
like that of a Ferret, its Tongue and Teeth like a Cat, which
is a Creature it deftroys ina Minute, though not the eafieft to be
killed. The Argo Serpents in India deftroy Afps; therefore
by Alexander the Great's Command, they were tranfported to
Alexandria +.
WHETHER the Serpent hates Man more than other Cre-
tures, is with me a queftion; be that as it will, it is wonderful
to think, that notwithftanding Man’s and other Creatures invin-
cible Hatred of Serpents, yet hitherto they have been able to fup-
port themfelvesin a State of War againft all the World.
Even among Vegetables are found Enemies to Serpents; as
the Dittany of Virginia, or the wild Penny-royal; the Leaves of
which, fays my Author, being bruifed, we tied in the Cleft of a
long Stick, and held them to the Nofe of the Rattle-Snake, who
by turning and wriggling, laboured hard to avoid it, and in half
an hour’s time was kill’d by it: This was done Fuly 1657, at
which Seafon thofe Creatures are computed to be in the greateft
Vigour of their Poifon; it is alfo remarkable, that in thofe Places
where the wi/d Penny-royal grows, no Rattle-Snakes are obferved
to come |}.
* L, LeComte’s Memoirs, ~. 504. + Fobnftenus, p.16. — || Philof. Tran/act.
abridg’d by Lowthorp, p. Sir. eg
C2 S E C-
It
32
ANA EUR AS 01'S TO. Rey
Se Col a HO IN), lV:
HAT Duf was not the original Food of the Serpent,
feems evident from the Sentence pafled upon the Paradi-
faick Serpent, but the neceffary Confequence of the Change made
in the manner of its Motion, 7.¢. the prone Pofture of its Body,
by which it’s doomed to live upon Food intermix’d with Earth,
diied to a Powder; Du/? fhalt thou eat, is one part of the Curfe.
It’s true, Serpents eat Flefh, Birds, Frogs, Fifth, Fruits, Grafs,
but as they continually creep on the Earth, ’tis impoffible but
their Food muft be often defiled with Dirt; fome of them may
eat Earth out of Neceflity, or at leaft Earth-Worms, which they
cannot fwallow without fome Dirt with them. No Animal but
has its proper Food; even the moft minute Infects; thofe that
feemingly feed upon Duft, in reality feed only upon fome nutri-
tive Particles therein. Infects have been feen through a Micro-
{cope to eat fome Particles of Duft, and reject many others, hay-
ing accurate Organs of Sight, Smelling, and Feeling, as well ac-
commodated to Duft, as the Organs of Ducks and Hogs are to
find their Food in Dirt.
ANp here it may be obferved, that what the Serpent does
through a Neceffity from the Divine Sentence, the earthly Man
does from his own Will; the Serpent only by the Will of ano-
ther, Man eats it from his own Inclination to it; the Serpent
would have better Food if it could, Man might have better and
will not: This fhews that Man has a mind to be Companion with
‘the Serpent, and to carry onthe Acquaintance, that was begun
in Paradife; the Serpent licks the Duft materially, the earthly
Perfon licks it morally; the one has its Tongue upon it, the other
has his Heart. The earthly Man is only a Man in fhape, but a
Serpent in Practice: What is the Punifhment of the Serpent, is
made the Happineds of the earthly Mind.
Some Serpents are carnivorous, and feed on Fleth; others
are verminivorous, and feed on Reptiles: Their Suftenance is va-
rious, fuited to their feveral Conftitutions, and Nature of the
Climates, where they inhabit. Vipers and Adders feed on Herbs,
Weeds, Dews, as well as upon Lizards, Mice, Frogs.——-When
they
OF SERPENTS.
they take Food into their Mouths, they raife up their Bodies a
little, that they may {wallow their Prey with lefs difficulty.
Tuey {wallow thofe little Animals whole without chewing.
In a Viper diflected by a certain Gentleman, he found three large
Mice, intire, without any Change of their Form by hard Com-
preflure. Scorpions live chiefly upon Locufts, and other winged
Infeéts. In Arabia, tis faid, they feed upon Bal/am-Fuices, and
feem to delight much in the Shadow of that Tree *.
Ir is remarkable, that Nature has provided young Vipers with
poifonous Teeth grown to Perfection, commenfurate to their
Bulk, that fo they may immediately feed themfelves, by being
able, in fome meafure, to kill their Prey as foon as they are born,
Some of thefe Animals have temporary Parts, as the Lacerta
Aquatica, a little Water-Serpent, which, when young, has four
ramified Fins, to poife and keep its Body upright, (which gives
it the Refemblance of a young Fifth) and thefe fall off when the
Legs are grown: So Frogs and Toads, in their Tadpole State, have
Tails, which fall off when their Legs are grown out --. Thefe
pafs through various Tranfmigrations, before they arrive at their
perfect State.
SebCGy Tat. Oi Nua.
S Serpents differ in Kind, fo in Size; the Length to which
fome of them grow is moft furprizing. A certain Num-
ber is fent out with little Bodies; others are of monftrous Bulk,
and capable of making the ftrongeft Efforts againftall the At-
tempts made to deftroy them; yea, are {trong enough to contend
with Elephants, the greateft of Animals, and conquer them. e. gr.
ATTILIUS REGULUS, the Roman General in Africa,
is faid to encounter a Serpent in that Country, of vaft Strength and
‘Stature, near the River Bagrada, 120 Feet long, which he and
his Army could not fubdue, without difcharging all their Engines
of War againft it; and, when conquered and flea’d, its Skin was
con-
* Conrad, Gefner. 85. + Derham’s Phyf. Theol. B. IV,
be |
rs
14
A NAT UR*A*D Pers TOR Y
conveyed to Rome in Triumph *. ‘This is the more credible,
fays Pliny, becaufe, in Italy, we fee other Serpents, called Boz, fo
large that in the Reign of Claudius, there was one of them killed
in the Vatican, within whofe Belly was found an Infant whole +.
AmonG the Andes in America, are Serpents of prodigious Mag-
nitude, from 25 to 30 Foot long ¢.” In the Province of Carza,
are Serpents ten Yards long, and Ten Hands broad, and their Eyes
as large as two {mall Loaves. In Bra/fil, are found Serpents 30
Foot long. In Grefham-College, London, isa Snake preferved in
Spirits, that is near two Yards long.
In Norway, we read of two Serpents of very large Proportion:
One of two hundred Foot long, and lives in Rocks and defolate
Mountains, near the Sea, about Bergen; which in Summer-
Nights ranges about in queft of Plunder, devouring Lambs,
Calves, Swine, and other Animals, that fall in its way. Ina
calm Sea, it ranfacks the Superficies of the Water, and devours
the Polypus (2. e. a little Fifh of many Feet) and all forts of Sea-
Crabs. Upon the Approach of a Ship, this Serpent lifts up
its Head above Water, and fnatches at the Mariners. My Author
adds, that it rolls itfelf round about the Ship, the more effeCtu-
ally to fecure its Prey ||. The Reprefentation of this you have
in C. Gefner.
THe other Serpent is in the Diocefs of Hammer, about fifty
Cubits long, by Conjecture. In Bothnia, on the Livonian Sea,
we read of monftrous Serpents, with which the Shepherds of that
Country were in conftant War. Wonderful Things are reported
of the large Serpents that infeft the He/vetzan Mountains. From
the Inftances above, ’tis evident that the Northern Climates breed
Serpents as well as the South; but with this Difference, that they —
are not fo venomous as thofe in Africa, tho’ Olaus Magnus, Arch-
bifhop of Upj/al, feems to except the Shrew-Serpent. Ldzd..
THERE ate Marine, as well as Land-Dragons, of uncommon
Bignefs: Some in Ethiopia of 30 Paces long, and in Phrygia ten
Paces long. N. B. A geometrical Pace is five Foot;
but if it be the lefler Pace only, vz. the Meafure of two Foot
and
* Prelium grande & acre eumgue magna totius exercitus confiictatione, baliftis
wique catapultis diu oppugnatum — Ejufque interfecti longum corium pedes 120, Aul.
Gellii Noét. Att. Liber V1 Cap. ili. + Nat. Ai. B. VIII. Cap. xiv. t De
Le Vega, \| Olaus Magn, B, xxi. c, 27. p. 23. Gefner ex Scalig.
OF SERPENTS.
and a half, it muft- be a monftrous Animal *, — In the
Reign of Philadelpbus, two Live-Dragons were brought from
Ethiopia to Alexandria, one 13, the other 14 Cubits long. In
the Reign of King Ewergetes, they took three Dragons, one feven
Cubits, the other nine Cubits long. The third was carefully
nurfed in the Temple of E/cu/apius, and no Creature fo highly
reverenced +.
On the Pelloneon Hill in Chius, was a Dragon whofe hideous
Noife filled the Vicinity with Horror and Dread; fo terrible,
that none durft approach fo near as to take its Dimenfions. It
happened, the Wildernefs wherein it lived, took fire in a Storm;
and being involved in the Smoke and Fire, itperifhed, and, upon
viewing its Bones, twas concluded to be of a monftrous Bulk,
Ibid.
Tue Ethiopian Dragons juft mentioned, have no proper Name,
and are only known by a Periphrafis, wz. Killers of Elephants.
The Method is, by winding themfelves about the Elephants Legs,
and then thrufting their Heads up their Noftrils, fting them, and
fuck their Blood till they are dead.
ALEX ANDER, in his Tour thro’ the Red-Sea, fays,
he faw Serpents of incredible Magnitude, fome about 30 Cubits
long f.
W's read of monftrous Dragons, particularly two Draconic
Monfters mentioned by Alexander's Ambafladors, feen by them
in their Return from the Kingdom of bifaris, one of 80 Cubits
long, the other 140 ||.
In Places adjacent to Batavia, a Dutch Settlemennt in the Ea/-
Indies, we read of Serpents 50 Feet long; and the Skin of one,
which was 20 Feet long, that fwallowed an Infant, is fhewn in
Batavia, the Metropolis of the Dutch Empire in the Ea/t-Indies.
In Querica alfo are Serpents of prodigious Bulk, from 25, to 30
Feet™long --; but this Subje@ will be further confidered in the
Second Part of this Book.
Own the other hand, there are Serpents, as remarkably little as
the Amphifbena, Gallic Viper, and {ome of the Lizards, that are
not
* Gefner, p. 44. + 4han.1. 16. c. 39. p. 957- { Ahan, lib. 17.
cap. I. || Strabo, de fitu orbis, lib. 15. pracugs xwee Bifari, alias Abifari Regio.
+ Atlas American,
15
16
A UNUAT USRRARE Stet s 170 Rey
not above four or fix Inches long. Moft of thefe Minutillos vary
in outward Form.
AnD here, I can’t but obferve that as the Magnitude of fome
other Animals is very wonderful, fo, on the contrary, the Mi-
nutenefs of fome is equally aftonifhing, if not more fo: There are
fome very little Infeéts that are confpicuous to the Eye, but more
that are zmvifible without the Help of a Mrcrofcope, which is an
optical Inftrument, that magnifies Objects, aud makes them big-
ger than really they are; it helps to difcover minute Particles, of
which Bodies are compofed, and the curious Contexture of
them.
To thofe who are not ufed to a rigid mathematic Proof, this
may be illuftrated by the Smallnefs of many organized Bodies.
There is a Plant called Harts-Tongue, ten thoufand Seeds of which
hardly make the Bulk of a Pepper-Corn. Now the Cover of the
true Body of each Seed, the parenchymous and ligneous Parts of
both; the Fibres of thofe Parts, the Principles of thofe Fibres, and
the homogeneous Particlesor Atoms of each Principle, being mo-
derately multiplied one by another, afford a hundred thoufand
Millions of formed Atoms in the fpace of a Pepper-Corn, fays the
learned Dr. Grew *.
_T He fame is yet more evident from the ftupendous Smallnefs
of fome Animals, efpecially in the Sperm of fmaller Infects;
which have been obferved by Mr. Lewenhoeck, to be fome Mil-
lions of times fmaller than a great Sand. This learned Gentle-
man has obferved more of them in the Spawn of a Cod-fifh, than
there are People living on the Face of all the Earth at once +.
N B.1r is the infinite Number of thefe little invifible Anij-
mals that makes ftagnating Waters or Pools appear of fo
many different Colours, as green, reddifh, brown, —accord-
ing to the feveral Natures of thefe little Animals thgs live
therein.
Tuus, among Men, wefind big and little; Giants and Pig-
mies: Whether that Difproportion be from meer natural Caufes,
or by Defignation of Providence, I determine not. It is very
queftionable whether there be a particular Nation of Pygmies; but
no
* Cofmologia Sacra, B.i. chap. 3. + Numerum animalculorum ex unius affellé
majoris laétibus provenientium plus decies fuperare bomines in univerfe terrarum orbe
viventes.— Epiftola ad Dom. N. Grew, p. 1.
OF SERPENTS.
no doubt is made about the Exiftence of Dwarfs in many Places
as well as Giants. ‘ula, the Niece of <Auguftus, had a Dwarf
called Canopas, that was about two feet in height. Philippa
French, born at Milcomb in Staffordfhire, aged about 36, being
then married, wanted fomething of three Feet in height *.
On the other hand, we are not without Inftances of Men, that
were of a gigantick Stature, after, as well as before the Deluge,
as Goliah and the Sons of Anak.
In the Days of Claudius the Emperor, P/iny tells us, that one
called Gabara, brought out of Arabia, was nine Feet and nine
Inches high : He tells us alfo, of two others in the days of Augu/tus
Cafar, Iducio and Secundilla, that were half a Foot taller than
Gabara +. Maximinus the Emperor, was eight Foot and a half
in height. But to come near home :
WILLIAM EVANS born in Monmouthfhire, and Porter
to King Charles I. was two Yards and a half high. Walter Par-
fons, Porter to King “fames I. was about the fame height. ‘* Some
“< fay, William Evans exceeded Walter Parfons two Inches in
‘«< height, but was far beneath him in proportion of Body, Tho’
*« he halted a little, and going out {qualling with his Feet, yet
«© made a fhift to dance in an Autima/que at Court, where he
* drew Little Feffrey, the Dwarf, out of his Pocker, firft to the
*¢ Wonder, then to the Laughter of the Spectators }. ”
SECTION ‘NIL
P ‘ \HE Apparatus in Serpents for their Motion is admirable.
~~ How curious the Structure of their. Mufcles, and their
Jun@ion’to every Point, whereby they are prepared for their dif-
ferent Moiions, and enabled to move according to their different
Nature and Situation !
In thofe that go upon their Bellies, the Movement is very fin-
gular, which ts in a Form curvilineal, different winding. of their
D Bodies,
* Dr. Plot’s Natural Hiftory.—Oxford 16. + Nat. Hi? B, vii. cap, 16.
f Fuller’s Worthies of Engl, Monmouthhire, p. 54.
18
A NATURAL HISTORY
Bodies. The Serpentine Line, among Mathematicians, is bor-
rowed from the Foldings of a Serpent in its Motion.
Tux Learned obferve, there is a great deal of geometrical
Nicenefs in the finuous Motion of Snakes, Vipers, and other Ser-
pents; to affift them in the right Management of it, the annular
Scales under their Bodies are very remarkable, lying crofs the Belly,
contrary to what thofe in the Back, and the reft of the Syftem do;
which Contrivance facilitates their Motion.
T 1s, tortuous creeping Motion of the Reptile Species is very
curious: The whole Body of a Worm is, as it were, but a Chain
of annular or fpiral Mufcles, whofe round Fibres, by contracting,
make each Ring more ftrong. ‘The Back-Bones of Serpents are
a wonderful Compofition: How thick are they with Joints? How
numerous and ftrong are their co-operating Mufcles? By this cu-
fious Articulation of the Joints, they can turn and wind their Bo-
dies any way without any difficulty.
Tu © Outfide of their Skin is a moft elegant Compofition: toa
common Eye, their Tegument has a rugged uneven Afpect; but,
to aproper Judge, the Scales of Vipers are found to be a moft ex-
quifite Piece of Mechanifm,; the Symmetry of the whole is geo-
metrically exact, and vaftly beautiful ; not imitable by human Skill :
Some of them are guarded by a coverture not penetrable by a
human Arm, which is their Security in- a perilous Situation; yea,
a greater Security than many innocent Inhabitants of the Field
are privileged with. Among Serpents, fome are clothed as with
a Coat of Mail, 7. e, an Armature of ftrong Scales; and fuch of
them as want that cruftaceous Covering, have either a Sting in the
Tail, or a Tooth in their Mouth, that bids the Affailant keep off,
and obferve his Diftance. ©
SBE ON) Vi
‘KY HAT is Poifon? L anfwer, that, generally {peaking, ’tis
WV taken to be a malignant Quality in fome Vegetables,
Minerals, and Animals; a {mall Quantity of which is hurtful,
and even. mortal, &e¢,
Tue
OF SERPENTS.
Tue Learned in the Faculty tell us, Poz/ons operate in various
manners ; fome by diffolving the Blood, others by coagulating it,
and fome by corroding and deftroying the Solids. "The Learned
Sir Hans Sloane fays, ‘‘ Some attack equally all Parts, fome on-
*< lya particular one. Thus the Lepus Marinus is an Enemy to
* the Lungs, Cantharides to the Bladder *.
Some Vegetables again, which prove Poifon to Man, ferve
for Food to other Animals, Thus, fays that learned Gentleman,
Mandragora and Fufquiampus that feed Hogs, kill Man.
HEMLOCK, that is hurtful to Man, is wholefome for
Goats; yea, the Caffavz Plant poifons unprepared ; but prepared,
is the very Bread of the We/f-Indians, particularly famaica and
the hotter Parts, with which they victual Ships. Jézd. ‘Tea is
faid to be poifonous before it is cured.
Tuis perhaps may ferve to obviate an Objection made againft
the Goodnefs of the Deity, in planting a Tree in Paradife that
had fuch malignant Influences ; becaufe, {uppofing that it had any
Properties, which might tend to the Diffoluticn of the human
Syftem, yet the fame Tree might be very falutary and ufeful to
other Beings in the Creation.
Havin G divided Poison into Three Parts, I thall, in the next
Place confider them diftinétly.
I. THIS Contrivance of Divine Wifdom is fo univerfal, that
we find, in the vegetable Kingdom, Jomething more than what ts
merely analogous to Pozfon, both im Land and Water-Plants; as
the Napellus, Caffivi, Nux Vomica, Aconite, Cicuta Aquatica,
Solanum Lethale, Aconitum Hyemale. Some Poifons are of a
Narcotic Quality, as Poppy and Henbane—being taken in too
great a Quantity, become poifonous. I fhall only add fome In-
ftances of Perfons kill’d by eating poifonous Plants, Roots, and
Herbs, The Wife of W. Matthews, near Sahp, who having
gathered a Quantity of Dog-Mercury, which fhe took to be
another Herb, boiled it for their Supper, which very fenfibly af-
fected the whole Family. One of the Children flept from
Thurfday Night till Monday Evening, then juft opened her Eyes,
and died immediately. The other two Children flept about 24
Hours, and, upon their awakening, fell a vomiting and purging,
D2 which
* Eis Voyage.
19
20
A NATURAL HISTORY
which, ’tis thought, faved their Lives *, A certain Woman near
Kilkenny in Ireland, eating by miftake, a Hemlock-Root among
Parfiips, was immediately ferzed with a Raving and Madnefs.
Ibid. i
E1GH.T young Lads went a fifhing to a Brook near Chnmel
in Ireland, and there meeting with a great Parcel of Oenanthe
Aquatica fucco virofo, they miftook the Roots of it for Siam
Aquaticum Roots, and did eat heartily of them. About four or
five hours after coming home, the eldeft of them, on a fudden,
fell down backwards, and lay kicking and fprawling on the
Ground, foaming at the Mouth; foon after, four more were
feized the fame way, and they all died before Morning: not one
of them having fpoken a Word from the Moment in which the
venenate Particles furprifed the Genus nervofum-+-. Of the other
three, one ran ftark-mad, but recovered; another had his Hair
and Nails fallen off ; the third alone efcaped: perhaps it might
be owing to a ftrong Conftitution, and eating lefs of that fatal
Root; or perhaps it might be attributed to his fpeedy running
above two ‘Miles home (after he faw one young Man fall) together
with his drinking a very large Draught of warm Milk from the
Cow, in his midway, anda violent Sweating, which might ex-
pel many of thofe venemous Particles. bid.
Awn Experiment has been made upon a Dog, by giving him
the Nux Vomica, which foon poifoned him. The American
Phyfick Nut is faid to be fo poifonous, that no Animals make a
near Approach to it. Wormwood in Perfia is fo venemous, that
if Horfes, or any other Creatures, eat thereof, they die imme-
diately ; upon which account, fay the Duke of Hol/fein’s Ambaf-
fadors, we durft not unbit that day t. The IJndzans have what
they call Fusco ‘fuice among them, which deprives fuch as drink
of it of their Reafon, and renders them perfect Idiots; tho’ at
the fame time it leaves them in the perfect Enjoyment of their
Health and natural Powers.
CHARCOALS prepared from Vegetables, have a poifonous
Quality ; for, when kindled, they exhale a Vapour, which, if it
be kept up, and confin’d to a clofe Place, proves fatal. Tis faid,
Charcoal made in Cornwal affords a manifeft arfenical and fulphu-
rous
* Lowthorp’s Abridg. Vol. II. + Ibid. p. 641. { Their Voyages and
Travels to Mufcovy and Perfia, p. 228. A.D. 1637.
OF SERPENTS.
rous Smell beyond others ; and yet Charcoal is a commodious
Fuel.
Even when the fharp Points of Nettles pierce the Flefh, they
inftil a kind of venemous Juice into the Wound, which gives
a painful Senfation. ‘The Leaf ofa Nettle has fome relation to a
Sting ; “tis covered with very fharp Prickles, whofe Bafe, which
is a Bladder of a flexible Subftance, has a Hole in the middle, by
which this venemous Liquor runs into the wounded Part, and
excites Pain.
Turis may be eafily perceived with a Microfcope ; if a Man
prefs with the Finger, the End of thofe Prickles again{t its
Bajfe : for then, thro’ thefe Prickles which are tranfparent, this Li-
quor is manifeftly feen to mount, and to defcend, as the ingenious
Mr. Hook affures us, he had often made the Experiment.
Iw Carmania Deferta, towards the Perfian Gulph, they have
two forts of dangerous Shrubs, one called Gu/bad-Samour, 1. e.
the Flower that poifons the Wind, where there are many of thefe
Shrubs. The Wind that paffes thro’ them, kills thofe who are
nearit. ‘The other is Kerzehre, the Gall of A/fes, becaufe it kills
thofe Creatures, and others that eat of it; yea, the Water that falls
from it is poifonous. ‘They fay, that Part of its Root which
fpreads to the Eaft is Poifon : for which, that on the South-fide
is an Antidote *,— N. B. Is not our Author miftaken ?
for can any Poifon grow in the delicious Plains of the Eaft, con-
fecrated to the Service of the Altar and Knee ?
An Overdofe of Opium, which isthe condenfed Juice of Pop-
pies, is poifonous. The Zurks take Opium, which they call /f-
jion, without any Preparation, it being merely the Juice of black
Poppy, dried in the Sun, without any purification. It is won-
derful, that ufe fhould make that Liquid which 1s Poifon to us, a
Cordial to them +.
Tue Vapour arifing from vegetable Liquors during their Fer-
mentation, ought not to be approached too near, becaufe it is poi-
fonous: We have Accounts in the French and German Tranfac-
tions, of People who were immediately ftruck dead, by receiving
at the Nofe the Fumes that iffued from large Vefiels of Wine in
the State of Fermentation #,
«sc I
* Tavernier, in Atl. Geo, p. 349, and 396. + Wheeler’s Voyazes, ps 203.
t Boerhaave, p. 120, £30.
21
22
A NATURAL HISTORY
“ Truink, fays a learned Phyfician, that God made no Poi-, «
-¢ fon, but all things in the World were made for the Ufe of Man; -
“« their chiefeft Deleterium is either in the Quantity, or fome
‘¢ other Circumftance, as in Lettice, Leeks,—-whofe IJntegra,are
« Aliments, the Juices mortiferous. Thofe things that are per—
“« nicious, by their external Form, as beaten Glafs, Sponges, have
‘« not deferved the Brand of Poifon ; thofe that are really lethife-
yous, are but the Excrefcences of Sin, and came in with the,
‘Thorns. ‘The Serpent was rather deftructive to the Soul than
‘« the Body..”
Amone the Ancients was a Plant that killed Mice with its
bare fmell, according to Play: The Poets feign it to have fprung
from the Foam of the Dog Cerberus, when Hercules dragg’d him
out of Hell.
Tue Aconite Plants alfo are extremely cauftic and acrimo-
nious, in virtue whereof they have produced terrible Inflamma-
tions, that end in Mortification. So great was the People’s Dread
of this Plant, for its venemous Quality, that they durft not touch
it; and yet, ‘tis faid, they made ufe of it againft the Sting of
Scorpions, which is fuppofed to be deadned by the Touch of the
Aconite, and reftored to its Vigour by that of He/lebore.
N. B. The Root of the Plant is faid to cure all Difeafes pro-
ceeding from Melancholly, as Difaffections from the Hypo-
chondria, Herpes or cutaneous Inflammations.
It is alfo reported that Arrows dipped in the Juice of Aconite —
Plants, proved mortal wherever they wounded.
Il. THE Ghobe we inhabit, abounds with Variety of Minerals,
of a very mifchievous Nature; as Arfenic, found in Copper-mines;
Orpiment, a Mineral found among Copper-mines, in Stones of
different Bignefs, Colour and Figure. ‘Thefe, and others of the
fame venemous Nature, are lefs or more dangerous, according as
their Salts receive a different Force from the metallic Particles.
Tue Mineral Kingdom is very fubject to Damps, or noxious
Streams, and often found in Mines, Pits;——and in Kinds various.
There are alfo Exhalations, a fort of Fumes iffuing from Body,
and diffufing themfelves in the Atmofphere. Some make diffe-
rence between Vapours and Exhalations: The Term Vapour, they
fay, is appropriated to the moift Fumes raifed from Water, and
Exha-
wy
OF SERPENTS.
Exhalation, to the dry ones emitted from folid Bodies, as Earth,
Fire, Minerals, Sulphur.
Tuer nocuous Effluvia fent forth from them may infect the
Air, and caufe epidemical Diftempers, and even new Difeafes.
About Mines and deep Caverns, are frequently found copious Ex-
halations continually ftreaming out, which, ina Moment, deftroy
any Animal that comes within their reach ; fo muchas the very
Infeéts themfelves not efcaping: Therefore thefe Places were by
the Ancients called Gehenne, Averni,—intimating thereby, that
a Mineral Pit was Hell, and that Sudbterraneous Exbalations were
_ Steams from the Fiery Lake.
STRABO takes notice of a Cave or Grotto in Natolia, from
whence iffue peftilential Vapours that infect the Air: No fooner:
is any Animal put in, but it immediately dies. Bulls have been:
put in, and fuddenly taken out dead. Sparrows that have been:
thrown in, dropt down dead inftantly.
Tue Turks fancy it to be haunted by evil Spirits, becaufe thofe
who had the Curiofity to enter it, have either déed or fallen de-
{perately fick *.
MrneRAt Poifons are more or lefs dangerous, as their Salts
receive a greater or lefs Force from the metallic Particles: And
hence, as the moft virulent may be mitigated by breaking the
Points of the faline Cryftals, the moft innocent Minerals may
become corrofive, by combining them with Salts, as is feen in the
Preparations of Silver, Antimony, Iron.
NotTuincG more fatal than mineral Poifon, which often
brings fwift Deftruction without remedy. To a large Dog,
fays the learned Dr. Mead, was given a Drachm of Mercury Sub-
limate, mixt with a little Bread, who after violent Evacuations,
died next Morning. The fame Gentleman obferves, that in 4r-
fenic is a very noxious quality: the faétitious white is the moft
violent of all kinds, fuperior in force to Mercury /ublimate
THESE mortiferous Steams that flow from the Earth, are
called’ Mephites, poifonous Damps; and are very common in Coun-
tries fruitful of Minerals and Mines: Damps happen in moft of
the Hungarian-Mines, not only in the direct Paffages, where they
walk on horizontally, but alfo in the perpendicular Defcents.
Now, to guard themfelves againft the fatal. Effects of thefe Ex-
halations,
* Strabo Geograph,
23
24.
A NATURAL HISTORY
halations, they fometimes clear their way by Fire and the Bellows,
but generally by long Tubes or Pipes, reaching from top to bot-
tom, thro’ which they let the Air in and out; and by this Cir-
culation of the Air, they carry on their Work for fome time
without Danger.
CREMNITS in Hungary (a fmall Town, reckon’d the
chief of the Berg, or Mine-Towns) is famous for its Gold-Mine
which has been work’d on goo Years, where the Workmen fome-
times are troubled with pernicious Damps, and many are kill’d
by them; and fo it happensin the Mines at Schemmits, the faireft
of the feven Mine-Towns *,
Amone the Minerals known to us, there are many more
noxious than wholefome ; and the Power of the former to do mif-
chief, is more efficacious than the Power of the latter to do good ;
which is evident from the little Benefit the Miner’s Health re-
ceives from any mineral Effluvia, compar’d with the great and
fudden Damps, that are often caufed by the Expirations of Or-
piment, Sandarac, and white Arfenic, which is a deadly Poifon,
and moft fatal of the whole Tribe of Foffils. Hence the Refiners
dread nothing fo muchas r/enic in their Metals; for its Fumes
taken into the Lungs kill inftantly, and the oftner ’tis fublim’d,
the ranker it grows +.
MERCURY is extremely volatile, being convertible into
Fumes, even by a Sand-heat. Thofe who practife the Art of
Gilding, are but too well acquainted with thefe mercurial Fumes,
which frequently render them epileptic and paralytic, and fome-
times throw them into a Salivation. This kind of Poifon is found
in Friuli, a Province in Italy, belonging to the Emperor, and alfo
in Spain, Hungary, &c.
Tue miferable People condemn’d, or hired to work in thefe
Mines, all die in a little time: they are fe-affected with thofe ve-
nemous Fumes, that from Tremors they proceed to. falivate, then
their Teeth drop.—One of them who had been there fix Years,
was fo fullof Mercury, that holding a Piece of Go/din his Mouth
a little while, it became of a Sz/ver Colour, and when taken out, it
was found heavier than before. zdzd. p. 74.
CO P PE Risanother poifonous Mineral, difficult of Fufion, and
when fufed, if a fingle Drop of Water do but fall upon it; or any
B Vefiel
* Atl, Geozraph, p. 1640,—I,—2,— 3. + Beerhaave’s Theory of Chemifiry.
OF SERPENTS.
Veffel it be caft in, be ever fo little moift, it flies into innumerable
Fragments, with incredible Noife, and deftroys all the Perfons
‘ nearit. Ibzd.
TIN, the lighteft ofall Metals, when urged by an eafy Fire,
it fhines exceedingly; but this Splendor is fucceeded by a fulphu-
rous Steam, very deftructive to the Lungs, and throws the Body
into a Confumption. zdzd.
Ar Mendip in Somerfetfhire, thofe who are employ’d in melt-
ing Lead-ore, if they work in the Smoke, are fubject to killing
Difeafes. There isa Flight (or Steam) in the Smoke, which fall-
ing on the Grafs, poifons the Cattle that eat it. Thofe who live
very near where Lead-ore is wafh’d, can’t keep either Dog or
Cat, or any fort of Fowl, but they all die in a fhort time *.
Sucu are the mephitical Exhalations in a little Cavern in Italy,
call’d Bacca Venofa, the poifoncs Mouth, not far from Naples,
but more generally known by Grotto de Cani, the Dog’s Cave;
becaufe the Experiment of its poifonous Nature is frequently made
upon Dogs; tho’ it be fatal as to any other Creatures that come
within the Reach of its venemous Fumes. This wonderful Cave
is (fituated at the Bottom of a Hill) in Dimenfion, about eight
Foot high, twelve long, and fix broad.
From the Ground within it, arifes @ thin warm Fume (vifi-
ble to the Eye) which is one continued Steam covering the
whole Surface of the Bottom of the Cave; it does not difperfe
itfelf into the Air like Smoke, but quickly after its Rife, falls
back again into the Earth. The Fumes rife about a Foot high
and never higher, and hurt no Creature whofe Head is above that
height; but when a little Dog, or the Head of any other Crea-
ture is forcibly held in the Steam, it falls down dead, the
Limbs convuls’d, and trembling; and if left there a little while,
it dies, but if taken out foon, and laid in the open Air, comes to
Life again, and fooner, if thrown into the adjacent Lake.
CHARLES the Great, King of France, and Emperor of
the Weft (a Title of Honour Galkck Monarchs have had in full
view for fome time) made the Experiment upon an 4%, whole
Head was held in the Fume, and was foon deftroy’d. Two Slaves
put in with their Heads kept down to the Earth, were both foon
E kill’d.
* Lowthorp’s Abr. vol. ii, p. 576.
25
26
A’. NA. T DER AM ETS POR Y
kill’d. ‘To this, I fhall add fome Experiments made by the in-
genious Mr. Addifon, who fays
—‘‘ A Doe that has his Nofe held in’the Vapour (within the
« Cave) lofes all the Signs of Life in a very little time.” Then
he obferves, how longa Dog was expiring the firft time, and af-
ter his Recovery,’and found no fenfible’ Difference. “ A Viper
** putin, adds he, bore it nine Minutes the firft time we put it
«in, and ten the fecond. When we brought it out after the firft
*« Trial, it took fuch a vaft quantity of Air into its Lungs, that
“it fwell’d almoft twice as big as before, and it was perhaps, on
“¢ this Stock of Air, that it lived a Minute longer.
‘© A Torch, Snuff and all, goes out in a moment, when dipt in-
“ to the Vapours or Steams of that Cave——A Pifto) can’t fire in
«it, I fplit a “Reed, and laid in the Channel of it a Train of
«© Gun-powder, fothat one end of the Reed was above the Va-
“‘ pour, and the other at the bottom ‘ofit; and Ifound, tho’ the
«© Steam was flrong enough to hinder a Piftol from taking fire in
< it—that it could not intercept the Train of Fire, when it once
< begun flafhing, nor prevent it from running to the very end— Fire
<< will live init nolonger than in Water, becaufe’ it wraps itfelf
“inthe fame manner about the-Flame, and by its Continuity
«‘ hinders any quantity of Air, or’ Nitre from coming ‘to its
Gauiite doi gt iat s
Nor are our Mines in Great-Britain altogether free from
thefe fatal Damps, that have turn'd Coal-pits into Graves. In a
Coal-pit belonging to Lord Sznclair in Scotland, feven or eight
Men intending to work in a Placé where they had been the Day
before, but fleppinga little further, they all fell down dead, as
if they had been fhot. The Wife of one of them, venturing to
fee her Hlufband, fell down dead as foon as fhe came near the
Corps f.
III. We come now to the fenfible Region, where animal Poi-
fons reign; that 1s, Poifon drawn from Animals, as the Viper, Afp,
Scorpion, Lepus Marinus: and here we are to encounter with an
Army of Serpents, and their formidable ‘Train.
W HEN we {peak of the Poifon of Serpents, we muft not fup-
pofe it diffufed thro’ the whole Body, as fome have imagined.
Many
% His Works, vol. iii. p, 8, 97- + Lowthorp’s Abridgment, vol. ii. p. 373.
OF SERPENTS.
Many Errors about the; particular Situation of it, have been hap--
pily removed by the Learned Dr. Redi, and Dr. Mead, who ob-
ferves the Viper has always been {fo notorious for its Poifon, that
the moft remote Antiquity, made it an Emblem of what is hurt-
fal and deftruGtive, but were not agreed from whence the Poifon
proceeded, whether from the Salva, the Tecth, the Gall, &c.
which leads me to a Paflage in the moble Italian, who fays:
.... THAT asa certain Learned Society in Italy were debating
this Point, one Facobus Sozzi (audiendi gratid) who was allow’d to
be prefent, ftationed himfelf in a corner of the Place, and hear-
ing fome of them affirm that the Poifon was in the Gall-bladder,
fell a fmiling; and being afk’d the Reafon, he anfwer’d, that
the Serpent’s Ga// was an innocent Part: Whereupon, in, their
Prefence, he drank a Glafs of Wine, mixt with the Gall of a
Viper, without any ill Effect.
Owe otthe Company, faid, he came thither with his Body
prepared by Alexipharmicks. He, to convince them of the con-
trary, try’d the Experiment upon Dogs, and other Animals, by
giving them the Ga// of Vipers to drink in abundance, without
any Danger enfuing *.
Iw the Debate about the Seat of the Poifon, the famous Jia-
Jian maintains, that all the Vexom of a Serpent confifts in a yellow
Liquor contain’d ina Bladder, at the bettom of its Tooth, which
Liguor, upon its biting, by the Preffure of the Bladder, is forced
thro’ a Tube within the Tooth, into the Wound, and thence en-
fue direful Effects. ‘This Hypothefis he fupports by a good num-
ber of Experiments upon various: Animals, which were bit by a
Viper, after thofe venemous Bags were taken out, without any
Signs of Poifon, or any ill Confequence at all --.
ANOTHER celebrated Phyfictan mantains, that this yellow
Liquid is not poifonous, that he had given it to Pigeons as Food,
without their being at all diforder’d thereby.—-That the Viper’s
Bite, he had always found mortal to Animals, even after the ve-
nemous Bag was taken out, as well as before——That therefore
the Poifon muft lie in the zrritated Spirits of the Viper, which it
exhales in the Ardor of its biting, and which are fo cold that
they curdle the Blood, and ftop the Circulation {.
1 BoTu
* Redi nobilis Aretini Experim. in Res Naturales, pag, 163, 164, 165.
+ Senior Redi, t Monfieur Charras.
2%
28
A NATURAL HISTORY
Bot u thefe are ingenious Men; their Syftems are oppofite,
yet both maintain’d by well-attefted Experiments. The Publick,
however, give into the Sentiments of Sezgnior Redz, as anfwering
the beft to the Mechanifm of the Parts.
SEIGNIOR Vigani has in fome meafure reconciled thefe two
Learned Combatants, who alledges, that the yellow Liquor where-
with Dr. Redi kill’d Pullets, Gc. after the death of the Viper,
was either faturated with the Spirits of the enraged Viper, by
whipping it before, or elfe (as “tis probable) in the hot and dry
Climates of Jfaly, thofe Creatures are more venemous than in
colder Countries.
Tw1s Poifon of Vipers feems to lie in their hollow Teeth,
becaufe the Mountebanks of old, to impofe on the People, ufed
to {top thofe Cavities, or hollow Places in the Teeth, with fome
kind of Paj/fe, before they fuffered the Vipers to bite them in fight
of Spectators; which was commonly done, and fucceeded ac-
cording to their wifh;—and fometimes, with a Needle fcratch’d
the Gums, and prefs’d out the Poifon*. Pliny fays, they have
but one venemous Tooth.
Dr. Mead, having given the various Symptoms attending vene-
mous Wounds, proceeds to the Remedies; and in particular,
mentions the volatile Salt of Vipers, as alone fufficient to do the
Work, if given in due time, in proper quantities, and duly re-
peated -f.
M pr. Robert Burdet, an Englifh Merchant at Aleppo (in Furke/h
Ajfia) was bit by a Serpent about ten in the Morning, and died a-
bout three in the Afternoon. The People of that Country fay,
the only Cure in that Cafe, is immediately to fuck the Wound;
but they muft rub firft their Gums and Teeth with Oil, that none
of the Poifon may touch any place where the Skin is broken,
and fpit out immediately what they fuck |].
Tue Learned Batavian obferves, as a prefent and effectual
Remedy in the Cafe of the Bite ofa mad Dog, or other venemous
Animal, immediately to burn the affected Part with a hot Iron,
or rather thru{t deep into the Wound; for by this means, the
Juices about the Part being coagulated, and an Efcar produced,
all Communication of the Poifon to any other Veffels is ftopt,
and
* Lowthorp’s Abridg. vol. ii. p. 815. + Mechanical Account. —\\ Lowtharp’s
Abridg. vol, ii. p. 814.
OF SERPENTS.
and thus the Cure may be eafily effected. Not that the hot Jron
draws out the Poifon, as is vulgatly imagined, but renders the
Parts incapable of being penetrated, or affected thereby *.
Bu rT to come nearer home, and to a cheap and eafy Antidote
again{t the ferpentine and canine Venom, by a certain Experiment
lately made in England, which was thus, vzz.
.... ONE William Oliver, aud his Wife from Bath, who follow
the Bufinefs of catching and felling Vipers, offer’d themfelves—
to be bit by any Viper, that fhould be procured, trufting to the
Virtue of a certain Remedy they had found out by chance in try-
ing things, when the Woman was once accidentally bitten.
The ufual known Medicine, even the O7/ of Vipers, having no
Effect in affuaging her Pains, they had recourfe to the common
Oil of Olives, which proved an effectual Remedy. The Circum-
{tances of the Cafe were —-—
Own the firft of fune, 1735, in the Prefence ofa great num-
ber of Perfons, the faid Wiliam Olver was bit by an old black
Viper, or Adder, (brought by one of the Company) upon the
Wrift, and Joint of the Thumb of the Right-Hand, fo that Drops
of Blood came out of the Wounds: He immediately felt a violent
Pain, both at the top of his Thumb, and up his Arm, even be-
fore the Viper was loofen’d from his Hand: Soon after he felt a
Pain refembling that of Burning, trickle up his Arm; in a few
Minutes, his Eyes began to look red and fiery, and to water
much.
In lefs than half an Hour, he perceived the Venom feize his
Heart, with a prickling Pain, which was attended with Faintnefs,
ShortnefS of Breath, cold Sweats: In a few Minutes after this,
his Belly began to fwell, with great Gripings, and Pains in his
Back, which were attended with violent Vomitings, and Purg-
ings. ‘
coy InG the Violence of thefe Symptoms, his Sight was
gone for feveral Minutes; but he could hear all the while: He
faid, that in his former Experiments, he had never defer’d making
ufe of his Remedy longer than he perceived the Effects of the Ve-
nom reaching his Heart; but this time, being willing to fatisty
the Company throughly, and trufting to the /peedy Effects of the
Oil, which had never fail’d him, he forbore to apply any thing
tilt
* Boerhaave’s new Method of Chemifiry, part, iil. procef. 104. p. 213.
29
A NATURAL HISTORY
till he found himfelf exceeding ill, and quite giddy. About an
Hour and Quarter after the firft of his being bit, a Chafing-dith
of glowing Charcoals was brought in, and his naked Arm was
held over it as near as he could bear it, while his Wife rubb’d in
with her Hand the Sa//ad O7/, turning his Arm continually round,
as if fhe wou’d have roafted it over the Coals,
He faid the Pain foon abated, but the Swelling did not diminifh
much; moft violent Purgings and Vomitings foon enfued, and his
Pulfe became fo low and {fo often interrupted, that it was thought
proper to order him a Repetition of Cordial Potions. He faid he
was not fenfible of any great Relief from thefe, but that a Glafs
or two of Olive Oi] drank down feemed to give him eafe: Con-
tinuing in this dangerous Condition, he was put to Bed, where
his Arm was again bath’d over a Pan of Charcoal, and rubb’d
with Sallad Oi/ heated in a Ladle over the Charcoal, by Dr.
Mortimer’s Direction. Whereupon he declared he found imme-
diate Eafe, as tho’ by fome Charm——then fell into a profound
Sleep, and after about nine Hours found Reft, awak’d, about fix
the next Morning, and found himfelf very well; but in the
Afternoon, on Drinking fome Rum and {trong Beer, fo as to be
almoft fuddled, the Swelling return’d with much Pain and cold
Sweats; which abated foon on bathing the Arm as before, and
wrapping it up in a brown Paper foaked in the Oil.
Tue learned Dr. Mortimer, relates the Succefs of this fimple
Medicine, tried afterwards on other Animals, who were purpoie-
ly bitten, both by the fame, and by frefh Vipers, to experience
the Efficacy of it *.
In the Sequel, he has. occafion to mention a Remedy for the
Bite ofa mad Dog, under the Title of Dampzer’s Powder, the
Compofition of which is, viz. A/h-colour Groundwort and black
Pepper. It was firft publithed by Sir Mans Sloane, in Numb. 237
of the Tranfactions, A. D. 1720, under the Name of Pu/vis Antz-
iiffus; where the Manner of giving it, not only to Men, but to
Dogs and Cattle, is accurately fet down. The Doétor fays, the
Lichen Cinereus Terreftris isaccounted exceedingly efficacious in
curing Dogs bitten by mad Dogs; then adds, wz.
* Dr. Cromwell Mortimer R. S. Secr. his Narrative relating to the Viper-
catchers.
3 Dar
OF SERPENTS.
Tuat King ames, when Duke of York, caufed this Lichen
Cinereus Terrefiris to be given to a whole Kennel of Dogs pit by
a mad one, which were ail cured, except one of them, to whom
none of it was given *.
In Norway, and on a great Mofs near Warrington, are many
Serpents; and their Wounds are cured by Venzce- treacle,
In Africa, they have an odd Way of curing Perfons hurt by
Poifon; they rub the Venom of Snakes with their own Spittle, be-
tween two Stones and having mixed them well, they {eratch
upon the Wings of the Stomach, and to the Part: fo fcratch’d,
which is bloody, they apply a fmall Part of the Mixture; the reft
they take inwardly. —_—This never fails to expel the Poifon in the
Wound, or inany other Part affected with it: In about a Month’s
time a “perfet Cure is made; in order to which, when they
judge the Poifon is expell’d, they cleanfe the Wound, and apply
to it the leaves of Buchu, Dacha, and other falutiferous Werbs:
But they fay, the leaft N egledt of fuch a Wound, (be it by a poi-
fonous Arrow, or any other way) is dangerous -f.
SN AKE-wooD is very common in the Ifland of Cey/ox, (fup-
pos’d to be the Zaprobane of Ptolemy) which is much efteem’d by
the Eaft-Indians, who, with the Powder of it taken in Water or
Wine, cure many Diftempers, and among others, the Stings of
Serpents, which abound in that Country.
Tuere Naturalifts fay, the Virtue of it was firtt diftovered
by a {mall Creature, like our Ferrets, which when ftung by Ser-
pents, runs and eats of the Snake-wood, and is cur’d.
Faruer Regnault, {peaking of Poifons, mentions feverak
Methods of Cure, as Incifions, Ligatures, Canttics, Vomits, Oil
of Olive, Baths, Treacle, Juice of Citron,
By a Ligature, which hinders the Poifon from {preading.
By. Caufties, or red-hot Iron brought within a certain Di-
ftance of the Wound; becaufe Heat attenuates the Poifon by its
AGtion, and diffipates it.
Tuis Effect of Poifon has fome Analogy with that which
happens upon fyringing (thro? Curiofity) fome acid Liquor into
the
% Philofophical Tranfact. Numb. 443, for O&. 1736.
+ Peter Kalben’s prefent State of the Cape of Good Hope, and of the Pe
writ in High-German, and tranflated by Mr. Guido Medley, p. 304—5.
32
A NA TURALIBISTORY
the Veins of a living Dog, or other Creature; for in a fhort time
he falls into Convulfions, and dies. A Decoétion of white Hel-
lebore injected into the jugular Vein of a Dog, as foon as it enter’d
the Heart, kill’d as fuddenly as if fhot thro’ the Heart with a
Bullet. On anuary 4, 1679. a Drachm anda half of Spirit of Salt,
diluted in an Ounce and half of Water, and injected into the ju-
gular Vein of a Dog, kill’d him immediately. We kill’d a Dog
almoft in a Moment by injecting into his jugular Veinan Ounce
of Spirit of Wine, in which was diffolved a Drachm of Campbire :
The fame Day we injected warm into the crural Vein of a Cat,
50 Grains of Opzum, diflolved in an Ounce of Water, which was
foon feized with convulfive Motions, and died within a Quarter
ofan Hour. We injected an Ounce of Oil of Olives into the jugu-
lar Vein of a Dog, which fuffocated him the fame Moment.
N. B. Iw all that were fuffocated by Oil, we found their
Lungs fill’d with a very thick Froth *,
Tue Remarkables here are,
I. That a finall Portion of this venemous Liquid fhould in fo fhort
a time do fuch terrible Executions: That it fhould fo foon infect fo
great a Quantity of Fluid, as the whole Mafs of Blood in the wound-
ed Animal. A very learned Phyfician accounts for it thus, vzz.
“ TuHarTin the Drop of Poifon are pungent Salts, by which
<* little Bladders in the Blood are prickt, and the elaftick Matter
* in them being let out, carries thofe acute Salts thro’ the whole
“¢ Region of Fluids; upon which follows a Coagulation +.
ALL venemous Creatures hurt, by inftilling a liquid Poifon
into the Wound, fuppofe the Wound to be given by the Tooth or
Tail. The aforefaid ingenious Phyfician fays, viz. “ This ve-
<* nemous Juice it felf is of fo imconfiderablea Quantity, that it is
‘< no more than one good Drop that does the Execution.”——In or-
der, adds he, to examine the Texture of the Liquor, I enrag’d a
Serpent till it bit upon fomething folid, fo as to void its Poifon;
whofe Parts I view’d with a Microfcope as nicely as I could.
«< Upon the firit Sight, I could difcover nothing but a Parcel
© of {mall Salts nimbly floating in the Liquor, which foon thot
“ out, as it were, into Cry/ta/s of incredible Tennity and Sharp-
** neis,
* Mr. Benj. Muite’s Philofophical Tranfa&, abridg. Vol.1. Part. ii, p. 220, 221,
where you may find many Inftances of the fame Nature.
+ Dr. Aéead’s Mechanical Account.
OF SERPENTS.
nefs, with fomething like Knots here and there, from which
* they feemed to proceed; fo that the whole Texture in a man-
<< ner reprefented a Spider’s Web, tho’ infinitely finer, and more
«© minute; and yet withal fo rigid were thefe pellucid Spicula or
“ Darts, that they remain’d unalter’d upon my Glafs for feveral
“© Months *. N. B. Thefe faline Particles appeared to be
Acids.
Most furprifing this! to fee an Armyof Flefh and Blood,
tremble and fall before a fingle Atom of Matter! to fee the Ce-
dars of Lebanon demolifh’d by the fingle Stroke of a contemptible
Worm. So inthe Moral World. Even in the Paradifaical State,
how malignant the Poifon of forbidden Fruit that fpread Mortality
over the whole human Race, and will affect Millions; dreadful
Effeéts of once eating forbidden Fruit! What a World of Evils
flows from one Difeafe or Diforder in the human Nature! J¢ was
by one falfe Step the unquenchable Fire was firft kindled.
Il. THAT Poifon is not fo dangerous, if it does not mix with the
Blood. Even that venemous Liquid may be tafted, yea, and
fwallow’d without mortal Effects, fay fome of the Learned. Hence
it is, wounded Perfons have been directed to get the Venom im-
mediately fuck’d out, which has been practis’d without ill Confe-
quences to the Sucker.
For this Method of curing venemous Wounds by Suction,
Avicenna, an old Arabian Philofopher and Phyfician, is quoted;
who fays, that thofe who fuck out the Poifon are in no danger,
. fo their Teeth be found and perfect, and their Mouths be free
from all Ulcers. At Rome was an Order of Servants whofe Office
was to fuck venemous Wounds, which they did with Safety and
Applaufe f.
“ Many acid Subftances taken into the Stomach, are, by its
«« Action turned into A/calious; fo there is no queftion but thefe
« faline Spicula are, partly by the mufcular Motion of the Fibres,
*« pattly by the falival Juice, all broken and diffolved; or if any
* efcape into the Inteftines, the Balfam of the Bile will be an
‘© Antidote for them. p. 14.”
CRE A-
»
* Ibid, p. 5—6. $ Sr. Reds, p. 185,
33
Sig
A NATURAL BIS FO RY
_ CREATURES reputed venemous, are indeed no Poifors when
fwallowed, tho’ they may prove fo when put into Wounds.
T ur Venom that falls upon the Skin, is not fo mifchievous
as that which enters into the Stomach, or is communicated by
a Wound. ‘‘ Yea, the Venom of a Viper, in itfelf, is not mor-
“tal toa robuft and ftrong Body; and tho’ very unhappy and
‘* mifchievous Accidents attend it, as Convulfions, Vornitings,
“« &c.” yet in eight or ten Days at moft, thefe are over; tho’ the
Patient may be very ill, yet he recovers, while the Poifon hay-
ing run thro’ divers Parts of the Body, at laft always throws itfelf
into the Scrotum, and is difcharg’d bya great Quantity of Urine:
‘This Evacuation being the ordinary and moft certain Crifis of the
Difeafe *.
Tue Water—which. amphibious Serpents frequent, receives
no yenemous Tincture from them. When Marcus Cato com-
manded in Africa (the Element of poifonous Animals) he had in his
Army a Number of thofe Nativescalled P/yl/i and Marci, the fup-
poled Averfion of Serpents, and who fuck’d the Wounds of thofe
hurt by them. It 1s faid, thefe P/ylians inchanted Serpents, who
fled at the fight of them, as if their Bodies exhaled fome corpu/-
cular Feffluviams, that were moft offenfive to Serpents, and put
them into fuch pain that made them run. To thefe, the Gene-
ral added another Set of Perfons, famous for curing the wounded
by other Methods; and all little enough, Serpents being the Lords
of the Country through which they were to pafs --.
Tue Author of the Defcription of Cato’s marching the Re-
mains of Pompey’s Army through the Lydsan Defarts, obferves,
how the Army being almoft cheak’d with Thirft, and coming to
a Brook full of Serpents, durft not drink for fear of being poi-
foned, till convinced by their Superiors, that their being in the
Water, did by no means infect it: Upon which they refrefhed.
themfelves with Water from the Serpentine River {.
App to this, the Example of Queen Cleopatra, who, to pre-
yent her being carried to Rome in ‘Triumph, ’tis faid, poifoned
herfelf, by holding a Serpent to her own Breaft. Ga/en mention~
aS.
: ; i idced by Lowthorp, Vol. HL. p. 814. Noxia Ser-
Ue nome ee Ladin Phathilia, Amiuled: Edit. p. 266.
+ Auli Gellii Nottes Altice, lib. 16.¢, 11. p. 161. Heredot. lib. 4. Plutarch in Cato.
+ Redi, 178. Lucan’s Pharfal.—Pocula morte carent—lb. 9,
OF SERPENTS.
ing this Story, relates from Authors, that fhe killed herfelf, by
pouring the Poifon of an Afp into a Wound made in her Arm
by her own Teeth; as if under Conviction, that the Poifon would
not effeGtually anfwer the End, without touching the Blood. fdzd.
Of which more in the Second Part of this Difcourte.
I. In Serpents is aninexhauftible Store of Poifon. If they dif-
charge all their Artillery to-day, their Arfenal will be full to-
morrow. "Tis true, by a fpeedy repeated Emiffion of Poifon at
one time, the Viper lofes its force, probably by a Diminution in
Quantity; but is recruited in a fhort fpace. ‘Thus, one Viper
cannot poifon fix Creatures, one immediately afier another; the
Truth of which is confirmed by unconteftable Facts. An
Experiment was made by Dr. 4reskine, when he was at Paris.—
Having got a large female Viper, he made it bite fix Pigeons, one
immediately after another. The firft and fecond that were bit,
died within half an Hour; one alittle before the other; the third
lived about two Hours; the fourth feem’d to be very fick fora
while, but recover’d; the fifth and fixth that were bitten, were
no more hurt than if prick’d with a Pin. Jdzd.
Tue learned Italian, Signior. Redi, fays, that having, at the
Entrance of Winter, a Scorpion fent him to Rome from Tunis in
Africa, he irritated it to fting Pigeons and Pullets, without any
bad Effects; but upon the approach of warm Weather, after eight
Months fafting it was provoked to fting two Pigeons fucceflively,
which foon died; but the third and fourth received no hurt from
its Wound.
Tue Author of the Natural Hiftory of Carolina, {peaking of
the Rattle-Snakes, fays, they can’t renew their Poifon as oft
as they will; for he had feen a Perfon bit by one of them, who
never rightly recovered, and very hardly efcaped with Life; and
another Perfon immediately after being bit by the fame Snake, re-
ceived no more Hurt than if bit by a Rat. p. 129.*
N. B. Poifon in different Countries, is more or lefs dangerous
according as it is exalted and heighten’d by various Degrees
of Heat; for by Increafe of Heat, that venemous Quality is
increafed.
* New Collection of Voyages, printed A. D. 17 II.
Br bay OBJEC~
26
A NATURAL HAST ORY
OBJECTION.
How 1s it confiftent with Divine Goodnefs to create fuch venemous
Animals, that are fo dangerous and deftructive to their Fellow-Crea-
tures? J anfwer,
I. THAT as the Power of God fhines in the Formation of all
Creatures, fo does bis Goodnefs in their natural Perfeétions, which is
the Goodne/s of their Being. Every Creature is good, and if any
Branch of the Creation be hurtful to another, ’tis the Effet of moral’
Evil, and not any neceflary Confequence arifing from their Creation.
TH 1s noxious Quality in Serpents, is God’s Creature, and muft
anfwer fome valuable Purpofe, tho’ concealed from an Eye blinded=
by the Venom of Sin. Nor muft we forget that they feldom hurt
their Fellow-Creatures, but when they are. provok’d; and when
they hurt, they prefent us with a healing Remedy, that is, che
volatile Salt of Vipers, which if rubbed into the Wound, has been
generally applied with Succe/s.
Il. THEIR poifonous Liquid muft fome way be beneficial to
themfelves. We are not told what their original Food was; but
now they live by Plunder, and by their Venom they are enabled
- to make fure of their Prey, which otherwifé might efcape, or
grow too ftrong for them, and fo they might ftarve for want of
proper Means to fupport Life; and what they take by their vene-
mous Fangs and Stings, is good. Nourifhment.
TueiR Poifon.alfo, is to them asa Life-Guard. Were there
not fomething terrible in their Weapons of War, every one
would’ trample upon them, Add to this, that perhaps their Con-
ftitution may be fo modify’d and framed, that this venemous Li-
quid may be as .ufeful to digeft their Food, as our Sz/rva is to us
in that refpect..
Wi. SERPENTS, tho venemous, are. of fpecial Ufe -to
Mankind, as they are Part of the Materia Medica, and bear a
great Share in fome of the beft Antidotes, or Remedies againft Poifon.
Vipers make a confiderable Article in Medicine; their Flefh ei- -
ther roafted or boiled, the Phyficians unanimoufly prefcribe as an
excellent Reftorative, particularly in Confumptions, Leprofy.
THE:
OF SERPENTS:
T wx learned Dr. Afead recommends the Broth or Jelly of Vi-
pers; or, asthe Antients did, to boil and eat them as a Fith, or
at leaft to drink Wine, wherein they have been long infufed: The
Apothecaries fell the Puluzs Viperinus, which is only dried Vipers
pulverized, Heart, Liver, and all’ other Parts, and paft- through
a fine Sieve. Some call it, Animal Bezoard,
BEZOAR isa Perfian Word, Pazahar, primarily denotes
Gounter-Poifon, and is applied to feveral chymical Compofitions of
that Intention. Theriaca, or Treacle, a Name given by the An-
tients to various Compofitions, is reckoned good againft Poifon,—
The Bafis or Foundation of the Compofition is Viper’s Fleth *.
Even in Tartary, an uncultivated Nation, the Viper’s Fleth
is reckoned to be wonderful good Phyfick. In fome of the Ri-
vers of Stam, are many Crocodiles, which the Szame/é call Cay-
man, and ufe them as good Phyfick with Succefs ++.
I'r is fuppofed, when Viper-Catchers were hurt, they imme-
diately cured themfelves by rubbing this volatile Salt of Vipers
into thé wounded Part. An Experiment was made by enraging
a Viper to bite the Nofe of a young Dog: The Part began to.
{well; to which was applied this vo/atile Salt, and the Dog was
very well next day. ‘The Viper was made to bite the Dog again
in the Tongue, and no Application being made, he died within
a few Hours f.
One of the firft that made ufe of the Viper in medicinal Pur-
pofes, was (as my learned Author thinks) Antonius Mu/fa, the fa-
mous Phyfician to Ocfavius Cefar; of whom Pliny tells, that when
he met with incurable Ulcers, he ordered the eating of Vipers; and
by this means they were quickly healed. "The fame Author adds
from Porphyrius, that the great Greek Phyfician Craterus, very
happily cured a miferable Slave, whofe Skin in a frange manner fell
off from bis Bones, by advifing him to feed upon Vipers, dreft after
the manner of Fifb. Ibid.
A’ LaTeeminent Phyfician, {peaking of Vipers, fays, ————
Tis certain, very noble Medicines are prepared from them, and
a. Wine from their Flefh, fingular in confumptive, leprous, and .
{corbuticl *
* Cyclopedia, + Struys’s Voyages, ad annum 1657.1. ¢, Il p.. 29..
t Dr. Mead’s Mechanical Account, p. 17. 5
A NATURAL HISTORY
Acorbutick Cafes: They afford alfoa volatile Salt, the moft generous
Cordial in Nature *.
In Italy is a fubterraneous Cavern, called Grotto dez Serpi,
Jarge enough to hold two. Perfons, perforated like a Sieve; out of
which, in the Spring, iffaes a numerous Brood of young Snakes,
of divers Colours. In this Cave they expofe their leprous, para-
lytick, arthritick Patients, where the Warmth of the Steams refolv-
ing them into Sweat, and then Serpents clinging varioufly all
around, licking their naked Bodies, they are foon reftored to
Health, by repeating the Operation. This Serpentine Cave was
vifited by Kircher, the celebrated Philofopher and Mathemati-
cian; who fays, he faw the Holes, and heard a murmuring hiffing
WNoife in them, tho’ he did not fee the Serpents, it not being their
Seafon to creep out; yet he fawa great Number of their Exu-
vie, or Sloughs, and an Elm at a {mall diftance laden with them.
The Difcovery was by the Cure ofa Leper going from Rome, who
lofing bis way, and being benighted, happen’d upon this Cave,
and finding it very warm, pull’d off his Clothes; and being weary
and fleepy, had, fays my Author, the Good-fortune not to feel
the Serpents about him, till they had wrought his Cure, Ma-
yseum Wormian. in Cyclopedia.
IV. Serpents are not only Phyfick, but common Food in many
Parts of the World, and efteemed a moft delicious Entertainment.
FoRMERLY, nothing more terrible to Men than thefe ve-
neniferous Animals, but now (Men being better acquainted with
their natural Qualities) are very familiar to many People; info-
much that there are but few Perfons of Diftinétion, in France,
and other Places, where they may be had, but make ufe of them,
as a good and mofi agreeable Diet; and the ingenious Virtuofo
makes living Vipershis Domeftick Divertifement.
Tue Italian and French Phyficians do commonly prefcribe
the Broth and Felly of Vipers, to purify and invigorate the Mafs
of Blood, exhaufted with Age and chronical Difeafes.
W e read of the Ophiopbagz, a People fo called becaufe they
are Serpent-Eaters. It is obferved from _driffotle, that the Trog-
lodytes,
* Dr. Charles Leigh's Natural Hiftory of
—p. 148.
OF SERPENTS.
lodytes, who are Africans, not far from the Arabian Gulph, icad-
ing aepaftoral Life, lived by hunting——and fed on Serpents -p.
Amone the Andefian Mountains in America, is a Serpent
called ‘Ffwanna, big as a Rabbit, has a {potted Skin, four Meet, and
is never obferved to have any Voice, is much eaten by the Inha-
bitants, and counted better Meat than Rabbits, as it is prepared by
the Barbarians *.
Tue Kanina Serpent that feeds upon Birds, is eaten by the In-
habitants, the Brefilians, and their Negro-Labourers, afier they
cut off the Head and Tail. bid. The Dutch, Porttuguefe, and
others in that Country, feed upon the Lydoya Serpent; tis of a
prodigious, large Bulk, and defcribed in another Place. Jo:d. Jn
old Mexzco, we read how the Indians took a certain Serpent that
carried thirty Young’s, which were each a Finger long, and crept
about immediately; and the old one being “above 20 Foot long,
ferved the Natives for Venifcn --
AMERICUS Fefpufius, (a Florentine, who was the firft, after
Columbus, that difcover’d America, and wrote the Hiftory of his
four Years Voyages) fays, he faw fome Serpents in America,
which the Inhabitants commonly feed upon: They were of diverfe
Colours, and as big as Kids. In the Hiftory of that Country, we
find the Natives of the Land fed upon Adders, Serpents, ‘Toads,
—without any Scruple of Mind, or Injury to their Health.
Tur Natives of Tonguim, a large Kingdom of India, beyond
the Ganges, in treating their Friends, give them 4rrack, a rich
Cordial, in which Snakes and Scorpions have been infus’d; and ‘is
efteem’d an Antidote again{t all Poifons.
INDIA breeds Serpents in abundance of all Sizes, and Va-.
riety of moft charming Colours: ‘The People of Siam catch pro-.
digious Numbers of them in the Woods, and expofe them to.
Sale in the Markets, as Eels in England, for Animal Food ¢. ?
ExPERIMENTsS have been made upon Animals, as Pigeons,
Chickens—that were bit by Serpents, which have been eaten.
without any manner of Hurt, or painful Senfation; yea, Ser-
pents that wereflain have been given to Dogs, who fed upon them:
without danger, or any uneafinefs |}.
5 THE
+ Strabo, lib, 16. Bros vopedinds— Cluverii Introdud.
* Ray, p. 329. Atl, Geograph. America. p. 129. + Atl, Geograph. for America,’
from Laet. p. 628, t Le. Comte’s Memoirs, p, 504. | Sr, Redi, p. 178.
2
40
A NATURAL HISTORY
‘Tue Circulatores, or Dealers in Serpents, devour’d at their -
Tables even their Heads, and pour’d the Gall into their Cups
‘when they drank, laughing at their Neighbours Timidity, who
transform their Imaginations into Bug-bears.
Tue Inhabitants of Mount Athos, between Macedonia and
‘Thracia, are called Macrobiz, that 1s Long-livers, or long-liv’d;
and their Longevity is attributed to their feeding on Viper’s Flefh,
-which is a moft elegant Nutritive *.
The Ethiopians are number’d among thofe who feed upon
Serpents, as one valuable Branch of their Suftenance.
In the Kingdom of Congo in Africa, the Negroes roaft the Ad-
ders, and not only greedily feed upon them, but efteem them as
a moft delicious Food +.
ST. HELEN A, one of the African Mlands, abounds with Ser-
pents which the Dufch eat as a greater Dainty than Eels ¢.We read
ofa Man who liv’d at Colonia Agrippina in Germany, that fed up-
on Spiders, as the moft delicate Difh——N. B. This Cologne is
called Agrippina from Agrippina the Mother of Nero (who poi-
fon’d Claudius her own Husband, to make Nero her Son Emperor)
and would have the Town honoured with a Roman Colony, as
being the Place of her Birth |}.
In Cuba, an American Mland, they were pefter’d with many
forts of Serpents, not fo much from the ill Condition of the Soil,
as by an old fuperftitious Whim of the Savages, who in former
Times were not fuffered to kill them, (this being a royal game,
anda mice Difh referved for the Higher Powers) and were not able
atierwards to deftroy them, when it would have been fuffered **,
Tue Kalmuck Tartars feed very much upon Snakes, Adders
and Foxes The Syrzans eat Crocodiles, which live on the Land
only.
MITHRID ATE, formerly one of the Capital Medicines in
the Shops, has the Name from the Inventor, wz. Mithridates
King of Pontus, who being overcome by Pompey, would have
poifon’d himfelf; but no Poifon would work upon him, having
accuftom’d himfelf to eat Poifon; thus defcribed in an old Dog-
grel Rhyme, v/z. e.
: King
"* C. Gefacr, p. 76. + Purchas Pilgrim, Part ti. 1.7. t 4:1, Afric. p. 741.
|| Tacitys’s Annals, Vol, 1.B. iv. | ** Heylia’s Cofmography, B. iv. p. 151.
OF SERPENTS.
King Mithridates cow’d not poifon'd be,
He drinking Potfon oft, grew Poifon-free.
AFTER King Mithridates was vanquith’d, Cneus Pompeius
found in his Clofet the following Receipt, againft Poifon, writ
with his own Hand, in this Manner, vz.
TAK E two dry Walnut-kernels, as many Figs, of Rue twenty
Leaves, ftamp all thefe togother into one Mafs, with a Grain of Salt.
Under this Receipt was writ Whoever eats this Confection
in the Morning fafting, no Poifon fhall hurt bim that Day*. In
America, where Lizards are very good, they eat them, and fo
large, that one Lizard is enough to fatisfy four Men. ’Tis very
probable that they were eaten in Arabia and Fudea, fince Mofes
ranks them among the unclean Creatures +.
Tuoucu the Flefh of venemous Creatures be nutrimenta!,
and eaten with a good Relifh, in many Places, yet it muft be al-
low’d our old Hittoriographers in fome Things hyperbolize upon
the Subject.. Thus Avicenna, the great Arabian Dotor, and o-
thers, {peak of a young Maid, who was fed with the Flefh of
poifonous Creatures, from her tender Age; by which her Breath
became venemous to thofe who ftood by her. And thus Porus,
a certain Indian King, is faid to ufe Poifon every Day, that he
might kill others. It isa known Hiftory, adds he, of a young
Woman, fed with Poifon, with which the Perfian Kings deftroy’d
whom they pleas’d.
App to this another traditional Opinion, v7z. that fome parti-
cular Perfons have an evil Eye, which affects Children and Cattle ;
yea, that fome have this unhappy Faculty, tho’ at the fame Time
void of any ill Defign. This has been an old Tradition, as appears
from that of the Poet ||.
Own the Mountains of Ceylon in the Eaff-Indies, are Serpents of
fuch vaft Size, that they fwallow young Cattle: Their Fleth is
very delicate, and has a moft pleafing Tafte; therefore is very
much eaten,
G THIS
* Pliny’s Natural Hift. Tom. ii. B, 23. + Calmet in verbum Hieronym.
contra fovinian, lib. ii. | Nefczo quis teneros oculus mini fafcinat agnos. See
Martin on the Weftern Iflands, p, 122, 123.
42
A NATURAL HISTORY
Tis Ifland of Ceylon is one of the moft charming Situations on
the Earth, the Key and Glory of the Indies; the Air fo temperate,
that, properly fpeaking, they feel neither Heat nor Cold ; the Vales
and Hills are always covered with Flowers, the Fields cover’d
with Frwits of all Sorts ; and in the Woods are Serpents call’d Z7-
zards, fallthree Hands long, whofe Fleth is excellent Meat *.
In the fecond Part is a more ample Defcription of Ceylon, _
THe fguana Serpent is amphibious, lays numerous Eggs, grate-
ful to the Tafte, is very good Nourifhment, preferable to Spani/b
Rabbits; and in the City of Mexzco thefe Serpents are brought to
the Markets, efpecially in the quadragefimal Days.
A Spanifh Fiftorian fays, the Iguanas are fhap’d like the 4/-
ligators, very ugly, as big as Lap-dogs, of feveral Colours ; the
Spaniards obferve, that their Flefh tattes like the Pheafants, and
feed upon it with pleafure +.
Tue learned Ray, {peaking of the Lboyaz, that monftrous
American Serpent, fays, that after it has fwailow’d a large Animal,
its Head grows heavy and fleepy, that it can neither run nor
fight ; the Hunters finding it in this ftupid Pofture, foon ftrangle
him with a Rope; and being kill’d, cut the Carcafs into Par-
cels, and fell the Flefh for Food, which is reckon’d a delightful
Entertainment ¢t. The fame Author adds, that both 4fricans
and Americans having cut off the Head and Tail of the Kamina
Serpent, eat the Body as part of their conftant Repaft. Ibid.
28.
: BRASILIAN Serpents call’d Lizards are flay’d, broil’d as
little Fifhes, and eaten by the Negroes or Blackmoors that are tran{f-
ported into that Country from J/rica.
I am inform’d of a Gentleman of the Law at Ludlow, who
having prick’d a living Toad in various Parts, fucks its Moifture,
and leaves it as muft a Skeleton as the Purfe ofa Client.
Tus we fee that the Almighty is fo far from being charge-
able with Defect of Wifdom and Goodnefs, in forming of Serpents,
that both as Food and Phyfick, they may be equally improv'd
to our Advantage.
I
* Ribeyro’s Hiftory of Ceylon, prefented to the King of Portugal, 1685, tran{-
lated out of Portuguefe into French, printed at Trevzux, 1701. + Herrera’s
Hift. Vol, ii. p. 14. t Raii Synopjisy p. 334,——Sala reffe—careque ejus pro
cibo gratiffimo venditur. ;
OF SERPENTS.
I sH ALL only add one Remark here, that if Serpents, and other
venemous Creatures, are hurtful to us, ’tis only by Accident, that
is, they are not vexatious to us, of Neceffity, but through our own
Ignorance, Careleffnefs, or Miftake ; e. gr.
“ Tue Birds we call Stares, fafely feed upon Hemlock ; Storks
«° feed on Adders, and Slow-Worms; which, and other hurtful
<< Creatures, would be as harmlefs to ourfelves, had we always
«¢ Caution enough to avoid them, or Wit enough to ufe them as
“© we fhould. Thus ces has the Property of promoting Hzmor-
*«‘ rhages; but this Property is good or_bad, as ’tis ufed: if by one
“ that has the Green Sickne/s, it will prove a good Medicine ; if
“ by one fubjeé& to a Dy/entery, or to {pitting of Blood, a per-
“ nicious Poifon,” *
Anp it is very probable, that the moft dangerous Poifons fkil-
fally managed, may be made, not only innocuous, but, of all other
Medicines, the moft effectual. Opium corrected, lofes its narcotic
Quality, and is fafely given in great Dofes, in Fluxes, Catarrhs,
and convulfive Cafes,
Ir is generally agreed, there is no Part of a Viper, not even
the Gall itfelf, but may be fwallowed without harm ; accordingly
the Ancients, and, as feveral Authors of Credit affure us, the Ji-
dians and others at this day, both of the Eaft and Weft, eat them,
as we do, Eels,
SPONTANEOUS Productions of the Earth were the firft Food,
and {till are the Suftenance of numerous Nations. It was fome
time before they came to the Juices of Cattle, as Milk, and longer
before they commenced carnivorous, and devoured their Fellow-
Animals,
Some think the Fruits of the Earth were intended as Man’s
fole Food, and that nothing but Necefflity or Luxury firft promp-
ted to feed upon Flefh: And indeed, by the Structure of Man’s
Teeth, it looks as if they were not proper to devour Flefh ; and
that Nature had rather intended and prepared them for cutting
Herbs, Roots, than, for tearing of Fleth. Yea, Children don’t
affect Animal Food, till their Palates be vitiated by Cuftom ; and,
further, when we feed upon Flefh, it muft be prepared by roafting
G2 or
* Dr, Neh. Grew’s Cofmelgia Sacra, B. iii, cap. 2. p. 103.
43
4.4
A NATURAL HISTORY
or boiling, which makes it harder of Dizeftion, than all other
Animal Food ; and therefore forbid in Fevers, and other Diftem-
pers.
aE Cra O uN viii
HAT venemous Creatures have heen made Inftruments of di-
vine and human Vengeance, is moft evident. The romantic
Account given in Antiquity, of ftrange Feats done by a poifonous
Breath—does not affect the Truth of this Propofition.
Tu Ee Antients divided Serpents, into good and evil Minifters;
thus the Egyptzans looked upon fome of them to be Admini-
ftrators of Mercy, and others to be Meffengers of Juftice. O/-
ris *, one of their Gods, is faid to fend out Serpents, to chaftife
Evil-Doers +.
Wen the Church of J/rael murmured againft God in the
Wildernefs, and cenfured the Conduct of Providence, he employs
an Army of Serpents as his Agents, to correct the Rebels.—
Plagues, and other peftilential Difeafes, were, in old times, reputed
to be the Meffengers of the Gods, and commifiioned by them, to
execute Wrath upon the Wicked.
Some of the Heathens had exalted Notions of Virtue, and
believed Men of Virtue to be the Favourites of the Gods, and
that a vicious Life, being oppofite to the Sanctity of their Nature,
they could not let it paf$ with Impunity.
Aw Inftance to this purpofe we have in the Hiftory of the
Apoftles, Ags xxvill. 1-6. The Jfland was called Me-
lita. And when Paul had gathered a Bundle of Sticks, and laid
them on the Fire, there came a Viper out of the Heat, and faftened on
bis Hand. And when the Barbarians faw the venemous Beaft hang
on his Hand ; they faid among themfelves, No doubt this Manis a
Murderer, tho’ he bas efcaped the Sea, yet Vengeance (Sinn, “fuftice)
Suffers not to live——They looked when he foould have fwoln, or faln
down
* Spat et vara daoies
TuepdxrcGp, tov p avrcs oAymmiG? wue Pows de, Hom. Iliad. B.
| Zlian. Hifi, Animaiium,
OF SERPENTS.
down—— And when they faw no harm come to him, they changed
their Mind, and faid be was a God. How came they to alter their
Opinion? Becaufe, according to their Divinity, none elfe could
thus command, and controul a venemous Serpent, which was one
of the Meffengers of the Gods.
<< No venemous Beafts, according to the fabulous Tradition, will
‘* live in the Ifland, which they afcribe to St. Pau/’s Bleffing, when
«¢ he was fhipwreck’d there.” They fhew the Cave where they
pretend he refided, and reckon the Earth of it, an Antidote a-
gainft Poifon.
From this hiftorical Paflage, ’tis evident, that thefe Barbarians
did believe a Providence, and the Dottrine of Divine ‘fuftice,
which ‘fu/tice they openly adored, under the Name of Vindiéfa, or
Nemefis, which was the Godde/s of Revenge, whofe Province was to
infpect the moral Conduct of all Men, and diftribute Rewards and
Punifhments as the Cafe required. It was painted in the fame
manner as Fu/fice, with a Pair of Scales in one hand, anda Sword
in the other.
In Ethiopia, we read of a large Country, this fide the Cyna-
molgi, that was laid wafte, and entirely depopulated by Scorpions,
before whom, the Inhabitants not being able to ftand, fled for
their Lives. The fame Defolation was made by the Scorpions at
Salamin, an ifland not far from Athens, called the [and of Dra-
gons, for which Lycopbron is quoted *.
Tx £ Inhabitants of Amycla, a Town in Italy, were deftroyed
by Serpents, being, as ’tis faid, of the Pythagorean Race, whofe
Laws forbid to kill Animals, and by fuffering thefe venemous
Creatures to multiply without Controul, they became intfuffe-
rable +P.
Tue Inhabitants of Pefcara, an antient City in Africa, were
conftrained to forfake their Habitations in Summer, by reafon of
Scorpions that were very numerous, and in that Seafon, their Sting
moft dangerous : In Winter, when their Wounds were lefs dan-
gerous, the Refugees turned to their Houfes ¢.
DIODORUS SICULUS cbferves how many Regions
have been deferted, for this reafon; both People and Cattle being
driven away by an Army of Scorpions, and their Allies.
In
* Conrad, Gefner. de Scorp. + Lid. { Atl, Geogr. p, 319.
9
4.6
A NATURAL HISTORY
In the Canary-Iflands, thefe venemous Animals are more dreaded
than the Peftilence. ’Tis faid they are hunted and taken by the
Turks, who prepare the Oz/ of Scorpions from them. In India,
about the Arrabban-Lake, the Country has been intirely difpeopled
by thefe mifchievous Creatures, Ibid.
In Times of War, Serpents have been preft into the Service.
Thus Hehogabalus (Emperor of Rome, fo called becaufe he was
Prieft of the Sun before his Eleétion) having, by his Sacerdotal
Incantators, or facred Conjurers, gathered together feveral Ser-
pents, contrived a Method to turn them loofe, before day, among
his Enemies, which foon put them into a terrible Hurry, and a
Motion, that was a Trial for their Lives; the Sight of the crooked
Serpent being far more dreadful, than the Whizzing of a firaight
Arrow +. The fame Author informs us of Snakes thrown by a
Sling-Staff into the Camp of the Barbarians, which did great Exe-
cution.
Kino Prujfias being overcome by King Eumenes, by Land, and
intending to try his Fate by Sea, Hannibal, by a new Invention,
made him victorious. The Stratagem was this: Hannibal having
procured a great Number of Segpents, put them into earthen
Veffels; and by another Device, and in mid{t of the Engage-
ment, convey’d them into Antziochus’s Fleet, which proved more
dreadful than Fire-balls, and feather’d Weapons, that flew amongft
them. At firft, it feemed ridiculous to the Romans, that they
fhould arm themfelves, and fight with earthen Pots; but when
they were broken, an Army of Snakes rufh’d out, which fo ter-
rified the Marines, that they immediately yielded the Victory to
Prujfias, the Carthaginian Hero’s Friend.
We read in Hiftory, how uno, out of her hatred to Hercu-
les, fent two dreadful Serpents to devour him in the Cradle, which
he foon crufh’d with his Infant-Hands.
IT was common among the Antient Swedes, to fend out cer-
tain Flies (which they pretended to be their Familiars) to plague
their Enemies. They alfo made Magical Balls for the fame pur-
pofe, boafting how they thereby conveyed Serpents into their Ene-
mies Bodies,
THE
* Conrad. Gefrer. p. 29. + Gefner. de Scorp. || Fuftint Hift. lib.
XXxil, ad finem.
OF SERPENTS.
Tue Laplanders had their Magical Tyre, which was a Ball
about the Bignefs of a imall Apple, (made of Mofs, or Hair of
Beafts) which, they fay, is quickned and moved by a pariicolar
Art; they perfuade themfelves, that by this Tyre, they can fend
Serpents, or what they pleafe, into any Man, to torment him.
When this Ba// is thrown, it goes like a Whirlwind, and as {witt
as a pointed Arrow *.
In the Book of Daniel, mention is made of feveral kinds of
Magicians in Chaldea, under King Nebuchadnezzar; one is Me-
cafphim, a word which by St. Yerome, and the Greeks is tranflated
Malefici, Enchanters, fach People as make ufe of noxious Herbs
and Drugs, the Blood of Victims, and Bones of the Dead, for
their fuperftitious Operations +,
« The Tyrants of faponza invented a ftrange Punifhment for
« thofe who confeffed Chrift. They hung them with their
“ Heads downwards, half their Bodiesinto a large Hole digged in
the Earth, which they filled with Svakes, Lizards, and other
poifonous Vermin; but even thofe (fays my Right Reverend
Author, the learned and pious Bifhop Taylor) were better Com-
panions than thofe infernal Dragons in the Pit of Hell ||.’ The
Romans, when they punifh’d any for Parricide, to exprefs their
Abhorrence of fo heinous a Murder, they fhut him up in a Sack,
with a Serpent, an Ape, and a Cock.
To thefe Inftances, I thall add, that the Attendants of P/ufo,
Prince of the Infernal Regions, are reprefented in a Serpentine
Habit, viz. the Furies, Harpies
In his Train, are three Dire, Eumenides, or Furies, viz. A-
lecto, Megera, and Tyfiphone, whofe Heads are covered with long
and dreadful Snakes, inftead of Hair, with Whips, Chains, and
flaming Torches, in their Hands, to punifh the Guilty. Thele
alfo attended the Throne of ‘fove, and were accounted to be Mef-
fengers of the Gods, whofe. Office it was to execute their Decrees
in the Infliction of Calamities upon Mortals.
TuHese £Furzes had their Temples and Worfhippers, and were
defcribed in Figures of fo frightful a Form, that they durft fcarce
mention their Names without Horror,
ce
a
c
n
id
ce
TY
* Schefferus’s Hiftory of Lapland, cap. xi. p. 60. + Calnet’s Bik. Crit.—
DiGionary, | Contemplations, Book ii. chap. 6.
48
A NATURAL HISTORY
TYSIPHONE, one of them, enraged at an innocent
Youth, pluck’d off one of her Snakes, and threw it at him, which
wound about his Body, and immediately ftrangled him. Some
fay, that we fee thefe three Furies on a Medal of the Emperor
Philip, ftruck at Antioch, on whofe Reverfe are reprefented three
Women, arm’d with a Key, burning Torches, Poniards, and Ser-
ents.
Tue Daffodil was facred to the Furies, and fuch as offered
Sacrifice to them were crowned with it*. 3
As foon as departed Souls had been examined by Minos, Ra-
damanthus, and Atacus, and found guilty, and Sentence paft, they
were delivered to the Furies, who caft them down headlong into
Tartarus, the Place of Torment,—and all thofe who had lived
well, were conducted to the E/y/an Fields.
HOMER {peaks of them as the Executioners of Juftice upon
falfe Swearers, among other Inftances :
Infernal Furtes, and Tartarean Gods,
Who rule the Dead, and horrid Woes prepare
For perjur'd Kings, and all who falfly fwear.
Tne Harpies ++ were monftrous and cruel Birds defcrib’d with
Women’s Faces, and Dragons Tails, to render them more formi-
dable to Mankind: The Antients looked upon them as Dzmons
or Genii, which laft Homer calls Podarge. About Kaskan in
Perfia, is a fine and fertile Country, but plagued with Multi-
tudes of Scorpions, which haunt the Inhabitants, efpecially in that
Town (one of the moft populous and eminent Marts in that Em-
pire) where the Inhabitants, for fear of that venemous Animal,
dare not fleep upon the Floor (as in other Places, where they on-
ly throw a Quilt upon the Tapeftry) but have light Couches,
hanging down from the Roof, like Seamens Hammocks, or hang-
ing Beds on fhip-board.
TH Ey have indeed a ready Help againft its venemous Wounds,
which is made of the Filings of Copper, tempered with Vinegar
and Honey, which proves a fpeedy Cure ; but if neglected, the
Patient is in danger of his Life. This, fays the Hiftorian,
I prefume, has been firft found out by the antipathetick Qua-
li
* From LEvxffathius, on the firft Book of the iad. ee
+ dello, Ocjpete, and Celene, Virg. Zneid. lib, 3.
OF SERPENTS.
lity, which feems to be between Scorpions and Copper ; for not far
from the City is the Copper-Mine, where, as before, if one of
thefe Animals be brought, it dies immediately. 2. Whether this
be not Herbert’s Parthian ?
Yer A, to render a future State terrible to Mortals, the Heathens,
fpeaking of departed Souls, feigned, that at their Defcent from
Charon's Boat (who was the Ferryman of Hell) they met Cerbe-
rus, a monftrous Dog, with three Heads, who was covered all
~ over with Serpents, inftead of Hair. There was the Montter
Chimera that vomited Fire, her Head like a Lion, Middle like a
Goat, and her Tail like a furious Dragon; fo fings the Poet :
————— Cerberus, who foon began to rear
His crefted Snakes—he gapes with three enormous Mouths.
Dryden’s Virgil.
So another :
For as the Pope that keeps the Gate
Of Heaven, wears three Crowns of State ;
So he, that keeps the Gates of Hell,
Proud Cerberus, wears three Heads as well.
And, if the World have any Troth,
Some have been canoniz'd in both.
Hudibras.
BuT further, we may obferve, that befides this frightful Ap-=
pearance of Serpents to falute their Entrance into Hell, there was
Variety of Punifhments for them when there. Thus the Danaides
were condemned to Yartarus by the Poets, to be continually em-
ployed in filling a Cask perforated at the bottom; Phlegas, con-
demned by follg to Hell, where he fat upon a rolling Stone, in
conftant danger of falling into a Pit of greater Mifery; Tityus,
adjudged to Hell, where a Vultur feeds on his Liver, and the
Liver always grows with the Moon: Nay, fuch were the horrible
Preparations in Hell, that Virgil *, after a Survey of it, declares,
that had he a hundred Mouths and Tongues, they would not fuf-
fice to recount all the Plagues of the Tortured: fo that it is no
wonder to fee them reprefent the infernal Prifon in Figures the
moft frightful.
H AND
* neid. lib. vi. ver. 638.
49
50
A NATURAL HS TORY, &c.
An p as the Heathen had their terrible Place for bad Men, fo;
to prompt them to Virtue, they li@d their EWy/ium, i.e. a Place of
Pleafure in Hades, furnifhed witgJmoft pleafant Fields, agreeable
Woods, Groves, Shades, Rivers; whither the Souls of good Peo-
ple were fuppofed to go after this Life. Thefe are finely defcribed
by the Poet:
locos letos & amena virenta
Fortunatorum nemorum fede/que beatas..
I SS\\\e
Ss \
—=S
NATURAL HISTORY
ee RP EN: YS.
PART If.
Which gives a View of moft Serpents that are known
in the feveral Parts of the World, defcribd by their
various Names, different Countries, Qualities, &c.
of large Extent, lying both in Sea and Land: No part
of the World but what is replenifh’d with them, more
or lefs, in fome form or other. In defcribing them, I fhall begin
with,
P ; A HE Serpents are a numerous Tribe, and their Dominions
Tue Viper, or Adder, a fubtle and poifonous Creature,
Ree ee in Body, about a Foot and half long, with fiery and fam:
ing Eyes, a long and cloven Tongue, which when irritated,
darts forth with Violence, and looks like a glowing Fire- Beha,
has a big Head, and flatteft of the ferpentine kind.
H 2 ila
)
SE
58
A NATURAL HISTORY
Ir is flow in its motion, and does not leap like other Ser-
pents, but is very nimble to bite when provok’d. The Scales un-
der the Body refemble that of well-polifh’d Steel. They appear
in divers Colours, yellow, afh, green; and others of Libya, like
the Inhabitants, of a blackifh Hue; its Front not unlike that of
a Hog.
VIP ERS of other Nations, are fuppofed to be larger than
the European, efpecially the Troglodite-Viper *, which is faid to
be above fifteen Cubits long: and the Hiftorian adds, viz. That
there are no domeftickVipers. I prefume, he means they are not
brought up among the Children of the Family, as fome Serpents
are faid to have been; this little venemous Reptile being of a
more mifchievous Nature +.
Tu © Viper differs from the Sake in bulk, being not fo large,
and their Scales more fharp, and Head more large: They alfo
differ in this, viz. Snakes lay their Eggs, twenty, thirty, fixty,
and a hundred fometimes, in one Neft, not quite fo large as that
of a Magpye (which are inclofed with a whitifh Skin, but not
with Scales) in Dunghills and other warm Situations, where they
are hatch’d by adventitious Heat, commonly call’d Adders in this
Country ; whereas Vipers make ufe of their own Matrix, and
bring forth live Vipers: Their young ones come forth wrapt up
in thin Skins, which break on the third day, and fet the little
venemous Creatures at liberty, therefore rank’d among the vivi-
parous Animals.
THER Births are much like young Snigs for Bulk ; they ge-
nerally bring forth about twenty young ones, but only one each
day. It is obferv’d of the Viper, that its Internals are not fetid,
like thofe of fome other Serpents, that are intolerable.
Tue Eggs of Lizard-Serpents, which are fo much efteem’d
in the French-Iflands of America, are of the fame Size and Figure
as thofe of Pigeons, and are generally ufed in all forts of Sauces:
When the Females lay their Eggs, they make a Hole in the Sand,
and cover them with it, and the Heat of the Sun is fufficient to
hatch them f. :
ALBERTUS is quoted for a Battle between a Viper anda
Magpye, occafioned by her creeping up into a Magpye’s Nett,
and
* Ailian de Nat. Animal. + Courad. Gefuer. Hift. p. 75. ft Fevillee's
Fuurnval of the Pail. Math. and Bit. Or
OF SERPENTS.
and devouring her Brood in the Mother’s abfence, who upon
her Return made a hideous clattering, which foon brought in its
Mate; whereupon both, with united Beaks, fell upon the Plun-
derer, and after a fharp Engagement demolith’d the Enemy.
FATHER Fevillee in the Woods of the Ifland Martinique,
“being frighted by a large Serpent, which he could not well
*‘ avoid, his Dog immediately fell on, and took the Serpent
“by the Head: The Serpent furrounded him and prefs’d him
“© fo violently, that the Blood came out of his Mouth; and
** yet the Dog never ceafed till he had entirely tore it to pieces.
** The Dog was not fenfible of his Wounds during the Fight,
* but foon after, his Head prick’d by the Serpent {well’d prodi-
** sioufly, and he lay on the ground as dead ; but his Mafter hav-
“‘ ing found hard by a Bananier, which is a very watry Tree, he
“* cured him with the Juice of it, and fome Treacle *.”
Tue Viper is common in fome parts of France, efpecially in
Dauphiny or Poétou, from whence all the Vipers come that are
fold in Paris. They are ufually taken with wooden Tongs, or
by the end of the Tail, which may be done without danger ; for
while held in that Pofition, they can’t wind themfelves up to hurt
their Enemy. The Viper-Catchers have their Specificks, in which
they can fafely confide, as not to be afraid of being bitten ; which
they fay is the Fut of a Viper, immediately rubb’d into the Wound,
which is one of the moft venemous in the animal World.
Tuese Vipers are ufually put and kept in a Box with Bran
or Mofs; not that thefe Ingredients ferve to feed upon, as fome
may fancy; becaufe ’tis faid, they never eat after they are taken
and confin’d, but live on the Air, and will live fo, many Months:
But more hereafter. The Deffruction of Vipers by human Spittle,
the Coition of the Marine with Lampreys, the pregnant Viper
biting off her Companion’s Head, and the Revenge of it by the
Younglings——I place among vulgar Errors.
Il. THE Amodytes is a Serpent very venemous and fierce, ofa
fandy Colour, blackSpots, and of about a Cubit long. The Wound
given by the Female, the weaker Veflel, is faid to be moft dan-
gerous: Its Jaws are larger than the common Vipers, and from
fome Eminencies upon the Head, like a Tuft of Fleth, is called
Cornutus,
* Fevillee’s Fournal of the Phil. Math. and Bot, Objer.
53
54
A NATURAL HISTORY
Cornutus. Its Wounds prove fatal without a fpeedy Cure. It is
found in Lydia, a Limb of Africa, and alfo in IMyricum, and in
fome parts of Italy *.
Tuts Serpent is called Cormutus, a horned Beaft+. Of this
Form, is a numerous Herd; we road that in the Roman Army
was a Band of Foot Soldiers called Cornutz.
Upon the Continent of America are Bulls and Cows, that
have no Horns, fays Dr. Ch. Leigh——who adds, “ The Defeé&
* of Horns in thefe Beafts, brings into my mind a remarkable
«« Phenemenon of one Alice Green, whofe Pi€ture I have feen in
<< Whalley- Abby, in Lancafbire. This Woman had two Horns
** which grew out of the back-part of her Head; they grew
*€ backwards like thofe of Rams, and were about three Inches
‘long ; thefe fhe caft once in three Years, and had always into-
** lerable Pains, before the Horns broke out ¢.”
He might have mentioned another innocent Creature, on
whofe Head a treacherous Companion inoculates a Scion, which
intitles him to the Title of Cuckold, a word derived from Cuckows,
who having no Beds of their own, ‘invade their Neighbours. Of
the Cuckow 'tis faid, that having no Neft, the takes poffeffion of
fome other Bird’s Neft, deftroys the Eggs, and lays in it an Ege
of her own, which the innocent Bird brings forth and nurfes for
its own |].
Hl. Tue Cerajfles is a Serpent of the viperine Kind ; its Head
refembles the Cornigerous; it belongs to the Liyan and Nubian
Family: Its Teeth are like thofe of the Viper, and it brings its
Succeffors into the World after the fame manner.
Irs Conftitution is very dry, which refines and exalts its Poi-
fon, and makes it more dangerous; the Wound is generally at-
tended with Diftraction, and continual pricking as with Needles.
Some fay, ’tis of a whitifh Colour, others arenaceous ; it loves
fandy Habitations, where it often furprifes the unwary Traveller: :
And all agree ’tis aa moft cruel Nature ; and therefore in fome
Places ‘twas made the Executioner of Malefactors **, as the Juice
of
* Comitatu imprimis Govitienfi invenitur.—Ray.
+ Lucaz. Phar(al. hb. ix.
tt His Netaral Hiftory of Lancajbire, Bookii. p. 3.
| Dr. Wlloughdy, who writ the Hiftory of Birds, affirms this Account of the
Cuckow to be true upon hisewn Knowledge, according to Mr. Ray.
*¥ Nunc potes actutum infidiatorenque Cerafien —Non is corpus haber, fed quatuor
aut duo profcrt Corzva. Nicander ia Ther.
Ly Rsk sy | Plate-7
3
4
"3
Ne
5
OF SERPENTS.
of the Cicuta, (an Herb like our Hemlock) was among the Athe-
nians.
Some fay ’tis of the afpick kind, as the Arabians; in length a
Cubit or more, with two Horns on the Head, refembling Snail-
Shells: It lies perdue near travelling Paths, and is very crafty in
decoying little Birds into the Snare.
Irs Woundsfoon kill, if one of the P/y/iian People be not im-
mediately called in. NN. B. Thefe Pf are a noted People of
Syrenaica in Africa, endued with a natural Faculty of deftroying
Serpents upon fight, and curing their Wounds by a Touch of the
Hand ; of whom we have this Account, w/z. .... Crates of Per-
gamus fays, that about Parzum in the Helle/pont, there were Men,
named Ophiogenes, who cured thofe wounded by Serpents with a
Touch. Varro teftifies there were fome of them in his time.
AGATHERCIDES writes, that in Africa the Piyllans
(a People fo called from King P/y//us, from whom they were de-
{cended, and whofe Sepulchre is to be feen at this day in the greater
Syrtes) did in the fame manner heal People wounded by Serpents.
Tis faid they had fome extraordinary Quality in their Nature, that
would fuddenly kill all Serpents,
Ir was by thefe they tried the Chaftity of their Wives, thus,
viz. When a Child was born, and its Legitimacy queftionable,
they laid it in a great Veffel full of thefe ceraftick Serpents, that
immediately breathed Deftruction ; but when they came near the
Child, their Rage foften’d, and they immediately fled from it ;.
which proved the Legitimacy of the Child, that he was a true
Pfylian, born in lawful Wedlock, becaufe Serpents could not.
poifon it, nor endure its Prefence *,
However this romantic Account may appear, it may doubt-
lefs be philofophically accounted for by Effluviums emitted from -
their Bodies, that proved fatal to Serpents.
THE Engh/b Annotator upon Lucan, who was Nephew to:
Seneca, obferves much to the fame purpofe, when he fays, Thefe
Pjylit (a People inhabiting thofe parts of Africa called Marmarica,
bordering on the Né/e) are fortify’d by Nature with an incredible
Privilege :
* In dolium ceraftarum plenum infantem conjicere, Alian. lib.i. cap.57. Gyllii :
Acce‘lio, cap. 37. N. B. If the Child was begocten by a Stranger, “twas killed by .
Poilon , if iawfully begotten, the Privilege of his Father’s Blood proteG:ed him
againtt the Venom.
55
6
A NATURAL HISTORY
Privilege againft the Strength of Poifon, and fuftain no Harm by
the biting of Serpents.
T u £ Serpents, fays Pliny, are afraid of them, and when others
are bitten by them, thefe P/y//zans by fucking the Wounds, cure
them.
Tue Marfans in Italy, ’tis faid, are full in poffeffion of this
natural Power again{ft Serpents, and are fuppofed to defcend from
the Son of Circe, the famous Enchantrefs,
Tue Trial of Childrens Legitimacy by Serpents, puts me in
mind of Hereditary Right; whofe Title was try’d by the Fata/-
Stone, on which the Jri/h Monarchs ufed to be inaugurated on the
Hill of Yarah; and which being inclofed in a Wooden-Chair, was
made to emit a Sound under the rightful Candidate, when he fat
in it; but was quite filent under one who had no Title, or not a
good one; that is, one who was not for the Druidick Prieft’s
Turn.
“© This Stone was fent to confirm the Jrz/b Colony in Scotland,
‘* where it continued to be the Coronation-Chair till in the Year
** 1300, EdwardI. of Englandbrought it from Scoon, and placed
“it under the Coronation-Chair at Weftminfter*; and there it
“¢ {till remains, is ufed in the Coronation, the antienteft refpected
** Monument in the World-+-. The Vulgar call it ‘facod’s Stone,
‘as if this had been his Pillow at Bethel.” Note, Antique Ap-
pearances often give birth to popular Superftitions.
SucuH natural Power againft Dz/ea/es did in our Days appear
in the celebrated Mr. Greatrix, before whofe Hand they fied. In
the Philofophical TranfaG@ions we have the following Account
of it, received from Eye-Witnefies,—e. ¢.
«© ,... My own Brother, Sobn D——n, was feized with a vio-
**Jent Pain in his Head and Back: Mr. Greatrix (coming by ac-
“‘ cident to our Houfe) gave prefent Eafe to his Head, by only
*« ftroaking it with his Hands. He then rubb’d his Back, which
“he moft complain’d of, and the Pain immediately fled from
« his Hand to his right Thigh; then he purfued it with his
** Hand to his Knee, from thence to his Leg, Ancle and Foot;
‘and at laft to his great Toe. As it fell lower, it grew more
violent ;
* Ni fallat farum Scoti qiocunque locatum
Tivenient lapidem, regnare tenentur ibidem.
“> Ifland’s Colec?. A. D. 1726.
OUF oS ER PE N°WS.
“© violent; and when in his Toe, it made him roar out, but upon
“* rubbing it there, it vanifh’d.
«© A young Woman being feiz’d with a great Pain and Weak-
“¢ nefs in her Knees when a Girl, ufed divers Means to no ef-
“ fect: After fix or feven years time, Mr. Greatrix coming to
“© Dublin, he ftroak’d both her Knees, and gave her prefent
‘* Kafe, the Pain flying downward from his Hand, till he drove
“it out of her Toes; the Swelling that always attended it, did
‘* in a fhort time wear away, and never troubled her after.
«©... A certain Gentlewoman being much troubled with a
“ Pain in her Ears, and very deaf, Mr. Greatrix put fome of his
* Spittle into her Ears; which, after chafing them, foon cured
“‘ her, both of the Pain and Deafnefs..... Her Uncle was cured
“ by him of the fame Malady, and in the fame manner.
*°....A Child, being extremely troubled with the King’s-
‘* Evil, was touch’d by King Charles II. and was nothing better ;
“< but was foon and perfectly cured by Mr. Greatrix *,”
IV. Tue Hemorrhous Serpent is an Egyptian of the viperine
kind; of fandy and bright Colour, enamel’d with black and white
Rays on the Back; flaming Eyes, corniculated Brows, and is
defended by an Armature of rough and fharp Scales; which by
one is given as the Reafon of making fome Noife as it goes,
which another denies, becaufe it wants the Sovalia -.
Tu1is Creature is little in Body, but great and terrible in its
Executions ; for when it wounds any Perfons, all the Blood in
the Body flows out, at all.the Apertures of it, which is imme-
diately follow’d with Convulfions and Death ft.
THE Atlas from Ribeyro mentions an Indian Serpent of the
fame malignant Nature, whofe Poifon operates with fuch Vio-
lence, that the Perfon wounded by it bleeds at the Eyes, Noftrils,
Ears, and all the Pores of the Body, and the miferable Patient
is irrecoverable.
I THE
* Lowthorp’s Philofoph. Traufuctions abridged, vol.iit. p.1t, 12. Edit.2. Com-
municated by Mr. Thoresby, N. 256. p. 332. 1699. In Pige ro. an account is
given of the wonderful Effeéts of Touch and Fri¢tion.
+ Caret Sonalibus. Nierembergius, p. 269.
t Gyllius, p. 261. Rati Synopfis Meth. 8vo. A.D. 1693. Invenitur in Zgypto &
aliis locis quibus Thonis imperavit. ibid. G& in agris Fucatenfibus.
At non ftare fuum miteris paffura cruore
Squamiferos ingens Flemorhois.
57
58
A»SNATURAL BPS TIOR Y
T ue Poet laments the Death of the brave and noble Tullus*,
by this bloody Serpent ; which is alfo found in India (according
to Diodorus Siculus) in that part where Alexander the Great con-
quer’d Porus, the Great King of the Indies. The Conqueror
bid Porus afk of him whatever he defired; who anfwered, That
he only defired to be treated as a Prince: with which Alexander
was fo charm’d, that he not only gave him his Kingdom again,
but fome of the Provinces he had conquered in that Vicinity.
N.B. On the Bank of the River Hyda/pis, Alexander built a
Town, which he call’d Bucepbale, in remembrance of Buce-
phalus his great Horfe, which died and was buried there.
- V. Tue Serpent Seps, which by fome is faid to be the fame
with Sepedon, is about two Cubits long, the Head broad, and of
divers Colours. Both thefe are of the fmaller Species, but moft
venemous, and therefore are rank’d in the fecond Clafs of Ser-
pents. ‘The Virulency of the Poifon is not in proportion to their
diminutive Stature.
WHEN any are wounded by thefe venemous Animals, the
Hair of the Head immediately falls off, the whole Body turns
fcurfy, leprous and putrid; yea, the very Bones, as well as the
Flefh, putrify and corrupt; therefore fome call it the putrid Ser-
pent +. The Poet accounts for the Symptoms of its Poifon f.
THESE Serpents are Afaticks, Inhabitants of the Rocks in
Syria; Syria, the fuppofed weftern Porch of Paradife. Thefe
refemble the Hemorrhous in Colour and external Figure: Accord-
ing to Elan, they change into the Similitude of the Things they
light upon. He might, I think, as well have faid, they chang’d
their Nofes on different Trees, fince there is a kind of relation
between Mujfick and Colour, as the Learned Newton obferves.
VI. KOKOB Serpent, is between three and four Foot long,
of a dufky Colour, and made beautiful by Spots of red and light
Blue. Its Wounds are terrible, and the Effe&ts not very diffimi-
lar to thofe of the Hemorrhous. Nicrembergius obfetves, that it
refides
* Lucan, lib. ix. p.269. Tnpreffit dentes Hemorkois afpera Tullo magnanimo Fu-
veni.
+ Nonzulli ex Secligero, on male putriam vocare. Fonftonus, p. 14.
t Mors eft ante oculos Seps fletit exignus—Parva moao Serpens, fed qua nonnuila
cruente Fugit rupta cutis. Lucan Poarfal. lib. ix. p. 271.
OF SERPENTS.
refides among Stones; and when it rambles out, and hears any
Noife, makes towards it like a mighty Hero. Thus the Gallic
Monarch, upon Debates among Princes, marches out as fovereign
Umpire of Europe, and never returns home but by way of Lor-
rain, Corfica, Palatine, or Spanifh Flanders.
VII. The 4/p, fo called from the A/perity of its Skin, as 4r-
noldus, or from a/piciendo, becaufe of the Acutenefs of its Eyes.
A Serpent well known, but not accurately defcrib’d, fays the
Learned Mr. Ray: Some make it a {mall Serpent, others fay ’tis
feveral Feet long ; and both may judge right, for according to
“Elian, there are various Species of Afps; fome a Foot and half
long, and others fix.
AmowncG thefe different Proportions, the leaft of them is faid
to be moft hurtful, and kills the fooneft. Its Poifon is fo dan-
gerous and quick in its Operation, that it kills almoft in the very
Inftant that it bites, without a Poffibility of applying any Re-
medy : They die within three Hours, fays my learned Author * ;
and the manner of their dying by Sleep and Lethargy, without
Pain, made Cleopatra chute it as the eafieft way of difpatching
herfelf, (More of this further on.)
TuHeEseE Afpick Serpents, are the Growth of feveral Climates :
Olaus obferved fome of them in the northern Parts, of rugged
and rough Skins, afh Colour, f{parkling Eyes, three or four Cu-
bits long-+; tho’ Lovers of warm Situations, yet delight in
fhady Retirements |. Many of them are found in the Spanifh
Iflands-+; but Egypt, Libya, and other Places in Africa claim
the greateft Right to them, for there they are moft numerous and
venemous.
WueEn provok’d, the Neck of this Creature fwells, and the
Wound then given, is moft dangerous. Its Teeth are of confi-
derable length, growing out of the Mouth like the Tufks of a
Boar. The Hiftorian fays, that two of the longeft Teeth have
little Cavities in them, covered witha thin Skin, that flides up
when it bites, by which means the poifonous Liquid runs out,
and drops into the Punéture ; after which, it recovers its Station.
Re: In
* Ca'uet in Verbum, p. 213. + Fonftonus Hift. de Serp. p.15.
t Ideo Semeca, ad umbram cxf. rgere dixit.
S)y)
60
A NADURA E APIS TORY
In America, faysa celebrated Hiftorian, are found 4/ps with
Stings in the Tail, wherewith they ftrike and kill *.
Tue Banks of Ni/us abound with A/ps, who have Sagacity
enough to remove their Habitations to a place of Safety, feveral
days before that River overflows the Rifing-Grounds about it:
"Tis alfo faid the Crocodile and Tortoife recede with their Eggs, to
a Situation not acceffible by that mighty Flood; a Flood that
makes the Land of Egypt, a Region of Fertility, a Flood dreaded
by thefe Animals, and ador’d by the Egyptians, thofe Sons of
Contradiction, who confecrated their Animals to the Gods, and
then worfhipped them, and upon Occafions kill’d them, (Can
we behold fuch Inftinéts in the Crocodile, &c. without acknow-
ledging the Divine Wifdom that ordain’d *em!) No Nation more
knowing, and more fottifh, e.g. Upon the Statue of Minerva,
or the Goddefs J/s, was this Infcription, wiz. I was fhe that was,
that am, and fhall be, and that am every thing. Which being an
exact Interpretation of the Word ‘febovah, and the fame Defini-
tion the Almighty appropriates to himfelf, I can’t, fays the Learned
‘Furieu, conceive, how a Nation that was arrived to fuch a high
Degree of Knowledge, fhould have worthip’d Bullocks—as Gods.
P LUTARCH givesa ftrange relation of them, vz. that in cafe
of any extraordinary Calamity, as War, Plague, Famine, the Egyp-
tian Priefts ufed to threaten the /acred Beats moft horribly: If
they failed to help them, they whipt them till the Blood follow’d;
and if the Calamity did ftill continue, they kill’d thofe facred
Beafts by way of Punifhment +. The Reverfe of this is given us
in a Clan of Tartars, who, when expofed to any imminent Ca-
Jamity, facrifice their Priefts, in order to intercede for them with
the Gods in the other World.
Ir has been faid, that the 4/p, when exafperated, did, with
an erected Head, caft out of its Mouth liquid Poifon; but it
now appears, it darts it only by its Bite, or by Poifon taken
from it by Force, and poured into a Wound made by another ;
and both the Wounds {o made, foon terminate tn an ea/y plea=
fant Exit; which is fuppofed to be the reafon why Queen Cleo-
patra chofe this kind of Death, that is, to poifon herfelf by an
Afpick Dofe. This reminds me of a certain Herb I have read of,
in
* Fonftonus Hiff, Naat, de Serpentibus. p.15. + Fwriew from Plut. de I/- & Ofr.
OF SERPENTS. +
in Arabia, which (according to the Tradition) 7f a Man /lept
upon, he died in his Sleep without any Pain.
A CERTAIN learned Pen, makes this Remark upon Cieo-
patra’s Cafe, viz. that fhe was not bit by an 4/p, as fome have
afferted, but did that which was more fecret and fure; that is,
after fhe had bit her own Arm, infufed Poifon into the Wound,
expreffed before-hand from an A4/p by Irritation, and preferved in
a Phial for that purpofe: Or, as Dzo fays, fhe wounded her Arm
with a Needle, or Dreffling-pin, and then poured the Poifon into
the bleeding Wound. This feems probable, becaufe no Serpent
was found in her Chamber or near it.
Tue Queen, in order to find the moft eafy Paflage out of this
Life, made an Experiment upon Criminals by various kinds of
Poifon, and Application of diverfe forts of Serpents, and found
nothing came up to A/pick Poifon, which throws Perfons into a
pleafant Sleep, in which they die *.
Obj. If it be faid, that in the Triumphs of Auguffus, Queen
Cleopatra is drawn with an Afp in her Hand:
I Answer, That I apprehend that Device might only be P7éfo-
rial-Licence, or a Flourifh of the Painter to affe@ the People, by
difplayiug the Heroifm of a Woman, who to prevent the Difgrace
of Captivity, embraced Death at the hands of a Serpeut, a ter-
rible Creature, to which none has fo great an Averfion as the fe-
male Sex. Excufe a poetick Digreffion.
On the ASP and its POISON.
Welcome thou kind Deceiver,
Thou beft of Thieves! who with an ealy Key
Doft open Life, and unperceiv'd by us,
Even fteal us from our felves ; difcharging fo,
Death's dreadful Office, better than him/elf.
Touching our Limbs fo gently into Slumber,
That Death ftands by, decerv'd by its own Image,
And thinks himfelf afleep +.
SoME
* Plutarch’s Lives of Mare Anton. and Cleopatra, and Fr, Redi Nobilis Aretin#
Experiment. p. 170,—1,—2,—3.
+ Dryden, All for Love.
62m A NATURAL HISTORY
SoME are of Opinion, that the 4/p is David's deaf Adder,
Pfal. lviii. 45. They are like the deaf Adder that flops her Ear, which
will not hearken to the Voice of Charmers, charming never fo wifely.
They are like the deaf Afp, faysthe Hebrew and the Septuagint.
The word in the Original is * Pethen, q. d. Unperfuadedne/s ; hence,
wicked Men are called Azaes in the New Te/?. unperfuadable,
which the Engl/b Tranflation renders Di/obedient, Tit. i. 16.
THE common Tradition is, that when Men by Inchantments
and Charms have attempted to take thefe Serpents, they ftopt
one Ear with the Tail, and the other was either deaf, or made fo
by laying it clofe to the Ground. Some are of Opinion, that
there is a fort of 4p that really is deaf, which of all others is the
moft dangerous, and is meant by the Royal Prophet here.
TuarT there was a Pradtice of charming Serpents by fome Art
or other, fo that they could neither dite nor /timg, feems evident
from the facred Writings. e.g. Eccl. x. 1. Surely the Serpent
will bite without Inchantment. Jer. viii. 17. I'l] fend Serpents,
Cockatrices, among you, that will not be charmed, and they fhall
bite you, fays the Lord.
Among other Things the word Charmer, fome fay, figni-
fies one that conjoins and confociates; that is, that by Sorcery
gather’d Serpents together, and made them tame and familiar ;
or the Perfon may be fo call’d, becaufe by Magick Art, he aflo-
ciated with Demons, the Lords of Serpents. :
W e are inform’d by Hiftory, of fome, who have fummoned
together a hundred Serpents at once; but by what method, I
leave the Reader to judge. Montanus, a famous Phyfician, and
Profeffor at Padua in Italy, fays he faw this Coadunation of
Serpents.
THE learned Doctor Ca/audon tells us, he had feen a Man,
who from the Country around him, wou’d draw Serpents into
the Fire, which was inclos’d in a magical Circle: When one of
them, bigger thin the reft, would not be brought in, upon repeat-
ing the aforefaid Charms, it fubmitted to the Flames.
W = read of a famous Charmer at Sa/tsburgh in the Circle of
Bavaria; that, when (in fight of the People) he had charm’d a
great Number of Serpents into a Ditch, where he kil’d them;
there
* 17: weer womidas RUD FS.
OF SERPENTS.
there camea Serpent of great Bulk, fuppofed to be the Devil, that
leapt upon the Charmer, and immediately flew him *.
AnsweER me, fays Paracel/us, (the celebrated Swé/s Phyfician,
who did wonderful Cures by Liquids extracted from Vegetables)
from whence is it, that a Serpent of He/vetia, Algovia, or Suevia,
does underftand the Greek Idiom, Ofy, Ofja, Of ; that they
fhould, at the firft Sound of thefe Words, ffop their Ears, remain
immoveable, and do us no hurt with their Poifon? From whence
he infers, there was a Power in Words to operate upon the Ear,
without Superftition. The Antients feem to have entertain’d
fome favourable Fhoughts of the Power of Spells upon Serpents :
Their Poets {peak often of thefe Charms and Incantations.
Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur anguis. Virgil.
Vipereas rumpo verbis, & carmine fauces, Ovid.
Ingue pruinofo coluber diftenditur arvo
Viperes coéunt alrupto corpore nodi
Humanoque cadit ferpens afflata veneno. Lucan.
PHILOSTRATUS defcribes particularly how the Indians
charm Serpents—they take a Scarlet-Coat embroider’d with golden
Letters, and fpread it before the Serpent’s Hole; and thefe golden
Letters have a fafcinating Power over it, and therewith its Eyes
are overcome and laid afleep +.
Ir we confider the ftrange Things done by Force of Words, fo
much extoll’d in Antiquity, it will be no wonder to fee Letters,
out of which Words are form’d, made the Rudiment and firft Study
of human Life: But as to the Mode of Operation by Words, the
Learned are not agreed.
Some fay, there is a natural Virtue and Efficacy in Words,
and appeal to the notable Feats done by Force of Eloquence. This
was the favourite Study and View of Orafors; in this they
triumph’d, and never wanted Acclamations and loud Applaufes.
In Plutarch, we have, among others, one remarkable Inftance,
wz. Cefar, upon the Accufations brought in by Tubero againft
Quintus Ligarius (Pompeys Friend) he was refolved to facrifice
that Rebel, till he was charm’d by the Words of the Orator that
pleaded in his favour——No fooner did Cicero begin his Oration in
* Doétor More’s Antidote.
+ His Life of Apollonius Tyaueus, writ at the Defire of the Emprels Zilia, lib. 3.
cap. 2,
his
63
64,
A NATWRAL BASTDOR'Y
his defence, but Cz/ar’s Countenance chang’d, and his Indigaa-
tion begun to foften.... but when the Orator touch’d upon the
Battle of Pharfalia (where Ce/ar was Conqueror) Cz/ar’s Heart
tender’d, his Body trembled with Joy, and certain Papers in his
Hands dropt to the ground——And when Cicero had finith’d his
Oration, Cafar's Wrath againft his Enemy was intirely extin-
guith’d ; and Ligarius was fet at liberty *. The fame Orator,
by the Dint of Eloquence, overthrew the Conflitution of the De-
cemutri.
OTHERS fay, there is a mighty Force in Words in fuch a
Tone, and Tali/manical Charaéters, rightly-adapted Figures, and
Images under certain Conftellations +.
Some affirm that Magick confifts in the Spirit of Faith, for
Faith is the Magnet of Magicians, by which they draw Spirits to
them, and by which Spirits they do wonderful Things, that to
vulgar Eyes appear like Miracles. No doubt but feveral extra-
ordinary Effects have been afcrib’d to the Devil, that in reality
were natural, and artfully difguifed: The Story of Sieur Brioche,
a famous Puppet-player, is well known, who ina Town in Swit-
zerland, where that Show had never been feen before, he was ap-
prehended as a Warlock or Magician, and ran the hazard of be-
ing punith’d as fuch f.
OTHERS affirm, that Charms by Words are but means to
heighten the Imagination ; and the ftrange Effects produced by
’em, flow’d only from the Aétivity of an exalted Thought, or
Fancy of heated Brains, In proof of this ’tis faid, that if a Wo-
man at a certain Seafon, ftrongly fix her Imagination upon any
particular Object, the Child will bear the Image thereof.
I Tuin Xk ’tis pretty obvious, that thofe extraordinary Im-
preflions made by Pagan Sephiffs upon the Minds of their Au-
dience by the Charms of Rhetorick, paft for a divine Afflatus or
Infpiration; and therefore in fuch Cafes, we fhall find this For-
mula (Aliquis nefcio quis Deus) frequently ufed by Enthufiaftical
Orators, as wellas their Poets : Thus Cicero, {peaks of himfelf, that
he was mov’'d by acertain Jmpetus or Ardour || : Apollonius Tya-
a neus,
* Plutarch’s Life of Cicere.
+ Paracel/us, C. Agrippa, Life of Mr. Duncan Campbell, A.D. 1720, page 256.
Gafare!. { De Saint Andre’s Letters. | Nulla ingen:i, fed magna vis animi
iaplamantes ut me spf? non t2neam.
OF SERPENTS.
neus, ‘who was looked upon by the Chriftians as a notorious Ma-
gician, being afk’d by the Governor of Rome under Nero, what
was his Profeffion ? he anfwer’d, Seocuo;, an Enthufiaft, g.d. Fa-
natic, Conjurer.
°T 1s true, that wonderful Things have been done by Words,
but how verbal Charms operated upon Serpents, wants Explica-
tion: Of fome Inchanters ’tis faid, that by vocal and inftrumental
Sounds, they have charm’d Rats, Mice and Serpents, fome into
a ftupid State, and others into a flexible fubmiffive State.
A remarkable Inftance in Rats we have in the publick Records
of Hamelen, (an antient City on the River Wefer in Germany,
about 28 Miles S. E. of Hanover) where the following ftrange
Account is regifter’d, viz.
THAT in Fune 26. 1284, a certain Stranger undertook to
deftroy an Army of Rats with which the Town had been long
pefter'd, on promife of fuch a Reward ; and immediately playing
on his Pipe and Tabret, the Rats march’d out, and follow’d the
Mufick to the River, where they were all drown’d: But being
‘denied the Reward, he threaten’d Revenge; and next day he
went about with the fame Mufick, and moft Children in the
Town follow’d the Piper to the Mouth of a great Cave on a
neighbouring Hill call’d Koppelberg, where he and they entered,
and were never heard of after.
In remembrance of this /ad Cataftrophe, the Citizens for many
Years after, dated all their publick Writings from the Day they
loft their Children, as appears by their old Deeds and Records:
They ftill call the Street thro’ which the Children went out,
TLabret-fireet; and at the Mouth of the Cave there is a Monument
of Stone, with a Latin Infcription, giving the Particulars of this
tragical Story.
As to the other Inftance, vz. Serpents charm’d into a duétile
manageable State, “tis thus accounted for; viz. Serpents, they
fay, are f{trangely influenced by the Smell of thofe Emanations,
proceeding from the Cornus, or Dog-tree (why not the Cornelian-
Cherry, antiently dedicated to Apollo?) and that by a Wand or
Rod taken from it, they are thrown into an obfequious Temper—
<< When touch’d by a Rod from that Tree, they are immediately
‘«« intoxicated, but fo as to be able to follow the Motion of the
“« Rod ; but whether by reafon of fome great Difproportion or
K ** Incom-
65
66
A NATURAL HISTORY
“ Tncompofhibility, between thefe fubtile Efduvia and the Tem-
“ perament of the vital, fpiritual Subftance of the Serpent, or by
« what other way, weare not told *, The Saffafras-tree, a Na-
“© tive of America, is call’d Cornus alfo, whofe Wood is very odo-
«* rous and fragrant.” Now, fay thefe Gentlemen why fhould
it feem impoffible, that he who underftands this invincible En-
mity, and how to manage a Rod of the Cornus with Cunning and
Dexterity (having firft intoxicated a Serpent by the Touch there-
of) fhould during that Fit make it obferve, and readily conform
to all the various Motions of the Wand, fo as that the unlearned
Spectators, perceiving the Serpent to approach the Exchanter, as
he moves the Wand near to himfelf, or to retreat from him, as
he put the Wand from him, or turn round and dance as the Rod
is mov’d to and fro, or lie ftill asina Trance, as the Rod is held
ftill over it ; and all this Time, the People knowing nothing of
the Virtue in the Rod, are eafily deluded into a Belief, that the
whole Scene is fupernatural, and the main Energy radicated in
thofe Words or Charms, which the Impoftor with great Cere-
mony and Gravity of Afpect mutters forth, the better to difguife
his Legerdemain, and diflemble Nature in the colour of a Miracle.
Tue Rattle-fnakes in America are faid to fecure their Prey by
Incantation ; for they have the Power or Art, (I know not which
to call it, fays my Author) to charm Squirrels, Hares, Partridges,
or any fuch Thing, in fuch a manner, that they run dire@ly into
their Mouths: This I have feen, adds he, by a Squirrel and one
of the Rattle-{fnakes ; and other Snakes have in fome meafure the-
fame Power -f.
Iv is allowed indeed, that there aré dumb Creatures that do ex-
ceed Manin fome /enfible Perceptions, particularly in that of Sme/-
ling, as the Harriers, and other Dogs. How ftrange, that
Odours from the Hare’s Body, fhould fo affeét the Nofe of a
Hound, as to raife in him that Senfation or Scent, by which he
follows her all the Day (tho’ he never had a Sight of her) thro’ a
Cloud of Oppofition, from perplexing intricate Places, and Efflu-
viums proceeding from other Animals!
Tuese Emanations are exceeding fine Effluvia, or Particles
flying off odorous Bodies in all Directions; and as they float in the
Air on the Surface of the Earth (within their Atmofphere) ftrike
againft
® Charlton. + Natural Hiftory of Caroling, A.D. 1711. page 129.
OF SERPEN-TS.
againft the Dog’s Nofe, and produce that Senfation of Smell_——
N. B. The Intenfity of Smell in all Creatures, is in proportion to
the Denfity or Thicknefs where we are: This Denfity is always
diminifh’d in proportion to the Squares of the Diftances from the
odorous Body.
YeA, a little Cur, by the Power of Smelling, can find out his
Matter among Thoufands, will trace his Steps thro’ Crouds in Fairs
and Markets; yea, throughout a whole Country. Our Hiftories
inform us of Dogs in fome parts of this Ifland, that being put up-
on the Scent, would purfue a Thief and a Murderer; and if he
crofs'd.a River, would fmell where he entered, and fwim after
him; and when arrived at t’other fide, would hunt about till
they found where he landed, and then run on, till they overtook
the Criminal.
Iw Animals is a fulphurous or oily Matter, fo attenuated and
fubtiliz’d as to become volatile, which is denominated a Spirit :
Now that there is fuch a Spiritin Man, and a peculiar one too in
every Man, is evident from thefe Dogs, which will purfue the
Game by their Nofe, and follow their Mafter’s Track, and di-
ftinguifh it precifely ; yea, tho’ a thoufand other Perfons had paft
the fame way.
Ir mutt be by meer Force of Smelling, that the Dog is able
to do this, that is, to diftinguifh his Mafter from all Men by the
Inftrumentality of his Nofe.
THEREFORE there muft be fome fpecifick Matter exhaled
from the Mafter’s Body, which the Dog can perfe@ly diftinguifh
from the various Effluvia flowing from all other Perfons.
Tue Dog mutt exceed us, in that he can thus exactly difcern
his Mafter, by thefe fubtile, oily, or fulphurous Effluvia, which
no human Nofe was ever able to do.
~ We find the like Spirit in the Hound, who when put in the
Track which a Deer has lately been in, will follow the Steps of
that Deer thro’ all crofs Paths of a thoufand others, and at laft
fingle out that individual Deer among a whole Herd of thofe Ani-
mals.
In Scotland are afort of Dogs(in Colour generally red and {potted
with black, or black with red) of extraordinary Sagacity, being,
as’tis faid, put uponthe Scent, will purfue Thieves with Succefs ;
and the Ufe of them has been authorifed by the Magiftrate——
Ka2 Nullus
67
68
A NATURAL HISTORY
Nullus perturbet aut impediat canem trafantem, aut homines tran-
Jentes cum tpfo ad fequendum latrones aut ad capiendum malefaétores.
N. B. Trafantem is a Word latiniz’d from the old French
Tracer or Traffer, fignifying to follow by the Track.
Ir any fhou’d fuggeft, That this derogates from the Wifdom
and Goodnefs of the Creator, who has given to fome Beafts
ftronger Perceptions, Nerves more exquifitely fine and delicate
than he has beftow’d upon Man :
IT Answer, this is fo far from derogating from divine Wif-
dom and Goodnefs, that it is an admirable Inftance and Illuftra-
tion of both ; for were our olfactory Nerves fufceptible of fuch
quick Senfations as Dogs and fome other Animals, we fhou’d be
continually annoy’d with peftiferous Fumes and Exhalations, fo
as nor only to render moft Situations troublefome, but even Life
it felf miferable and wretched.
Su cu quick Senfations may be very ufeful to carnivorous Ani-
mals, fo as to direct them to their Prey, but to human Beings it
wou'd be very vexatious, if not peftiferous and deadly. I thall
only add to this Digreffion, a fhort Hint about the Magic Art,
the moft furprifing of all Arts, and in its firft Appearance moft
innocent and ufeful.
AmonG the antient Chaldeans, Babylonians, and Perfians,
where the Art-magic was firft and principally cultivated, it fig-
nified no more than Wi/dom ; and hence the Sophi, or Wifemen
of the Greeks were by them call’d yaya, that is, Magicians ; who
being acquainted with many of the hidden Powers of Nature, di-
rected them in fuch manner, as to produce Effects, whofe Caufes
being unknown to the Vulgar, were attributed to Demons.
Hewnce the Art in procefs of Time came into Difrepute, and
Magicians have been cenfur’d, as working by Compaé with the
Devil : But this is invidious; for in the Gofpel we find, the Magz
or Magicians, are faid to come from the Eaft to Jerufalem, /ayzng,
where ts be that is born King of the Jews? for we—are come to wor-
hip him. No body can imagine this to be underftood of thofe that
have been called Sorcerers, Wizards, Conjurers, Witches or Magi-
cians, in the modern Senfe of that Word * ; for thofe who were ~
familiar with the Devil, would fcarce come to enquire after him,
who came to deftroy his Works.
THE
® Matt. ii. ¥, 2.
OF SERPENTS.
Tue Notion of Witches in the Days of Ignorancé and Super-
ftition, was very prevailing in this Ifland, but of late Years has un-
dergone a parliamentary Excommunication ; though the Lenca-
Jhire Witches, who are conftituted of the fairer Part of the fairer
Sex, triumph even over our Senators, and will maintain their faf-
cinating Charms, while their rival Beauties, the Sun and Stars
endure.
W = read of a certain King of Egypt, who having affembled
his Magical Prie/ts without the City Memphis, caus'd them to en-
ter where the People were gather’d, by Beat of Drum: All of
them made fome miraculous Difcovery of their Magic and Wif-
dom. One had his Face furrounded with a Light, like that of
the Sun, fo bright that none could look earneftly upon him.
ANOTHER feemd as if enrob’d with precious Stones of di-
verfe Colours, red, green, yellow, or wrought with Gold.
A T u1RDcame mounted ona Lion, compafs’d with Serpents,
like Girdles.
THE next came in with a Pavilion, or Canopy of Light, di-
ftended over his Head.
ANOTHER entered furrounded with Flames of Fire, turning
about him ; fothat none durft come near him:
AFTER him appeared one with dreadful Birds, perching about
his Head, and fhaking their Wings like Vulturs and black Eagles,
T ue /aff made his Appearance with an Army in the Air,
marching before him, of winged Serpents and terrible Perfo-
nages. In fine, every one did what was taught him by the
Star he ferved ; and, after all, the whole Scene was but an Ap-
parition and: IIlufion, according to their own Confeffion to the
King, when the Farce was over Something analogous
to this are the Magick Lanthorns in our days.
Iw antient times, the Word Magician generally fignified Men:
of Wifdom and Learning, i. e. of fuperior Knowledge in Things.
natural and divine, and more efpecially in that fort of Learning.
relative to the Sun, Moon, and Stars, as we learn from Porphyry,
Apuleius,
* This Paffage is taken out of the Egyptian Hiftory of the Pyramids—by Mur--
tadi the Arabian, printed at Tibe, a City in Arabia, 14th of Regebe, 992 ; which:
correfponds to Fuly 22d, 1584; about 156 Years ago; tranflated into. Fremch, and:
into Evglifb, 1672.
69
de
A NATURAL HISTORY
Apuleius, and others. And feeing the infpired Apoftle gives them
‘that Name (Magicians) not as a Mark of Infamy, but a Title of
Honour, therefore does the Engli/h Tranflation ftile them W7/e-
men, fuch as the old Greeks called copa, Sages of their Time *.
How, and how far this Art is degenerated, I refer to the Judgment
of the Learned: We fee there are Revolutions in Words, as well
as in Families and Kingdoms ; a Magician being formerly a Wie-
man, as well asa Knave an honeft one. Sed tempora mutantur.
ISHALt only add to the A/pick Subject, the Tribute of Ve-
nefation paid to this poifonous Animal in the Land of Egyft.
The Hiftorian fpeaks of a certain Perfon, who, in digging, hap-
pened unawares to cut an Afp with his Spade, and went mad up-
On it,---was taken into the Houfe of Serapis, an Egyptian Idol,—
the Relatives of the Patient praying the Spectrum of that Serpent
might be deftroyed,----which being accordingly done by Magick
Art, the Man was cured.------ By this we fee, how highly As
were venerated among the Egyptzans, who not only fuffer’d them
to live, but to live in their Houfes, where they were carefully fed,
as Favourites of the Family -+. And Queen Cleopatra's Cafe was
not fingular, for the Perfian Kings kept an exquifite Porfon by
them, made of the Dung of an Indian Bird, which would kill
‘without putting them to pain, that they might ufe it themfelves
in cafe of any Difafter ¢.
DEMOSTHENES, who flew his Soldier, when he was
‘ afleep, was a merciful Executioner; a kind of Punifhment the
Mildnefs of no Law has yet invented. It is ftrange that Lucan
and Seneca made no difcovery of it. S,
SLEEP is a kind of Death, by which we may literally be
faid to die daily; and in this Senfe, Adam may be faid to die be-
fore his final Exit.
VII. I now proceed to the Serpent Scyzale; the Name is
borrowed from the Gree Word oxro7, a Staff, or any thing like
a Cylinder, of along fmooth round Form; the Body of this Ser- -
pent being in fhape equally round, like a Rolling-Stone, with very
little Variation in the Extremities of it. :
T
* Boerhaave’s New Theory, p. 211. 3 SaaS
+ Circurantur cibo, cum infantibus vivunt, CG crepitum digitorum vocataex cavi
prodeunt. Jonftonus, p. 16. t Atlas, Afia.
GF SER'PENTS.
Ir forms a beautiful Profpe@t, being an Aggregate of moft
charming Colours, (therefore call’d the Painted Serpent by Man-
tuanus.) It may be view’d without danger, becaufe flow in its
Motion. ’Tis an Error in Lucan to attribute its Slownefs to a
Defign of enticing Spectators, if it be not Poetica Licentia.
W HEN releafed from its Winter-Confinement, the firft thing
fhe does, fays the Hiftorian, is to refrefh her languid Body with
Fennel-Leaves ; but does not tell us what is done, in cafe that Herb
can’t be readily found. It muft indeed be allowed, that wild
Fennel is a common Herb of the Field, and well known and of
Ufe in Phyfick *. The Poet obferves, that no Snake cafts her
Coat in Winter, but the Scytale +-.
T urs Serpent being adorned with beautiful Colours, excufe a:
thort Digreffion upon the Doétrine of Colours in Natural Bodies,
Know then,. Colours. are the Children of Fire and Light.
I. Where there is Light, there is Fire; and Fire thews itfelf to-
be prefent by Light. The Senfation of Light is produced when
the Particles of Fire, directed by the AGion of the Sun, reach the
Eye in right Lines. Now, Fire thus entering the Eye, gives a
Motion to the optick Fibres at the bottom of the Eye, and thus
excites the Idea of Light.
Il. FIRE difcovers itfelf by Colour ; for all Colours depend
upon Light, and Light depends upon Fire ;.and different Colours:
appear in Natural Bodies, as their Surfaces are difpofed to reflect.
this or that fort of coloured Rays more than others. Colour is
a Property inherent in Light..
Coxrouwrs therefore are not connate with Natural Bodies,
which are all of the fame Hue in the dark. To this the Poet
alludes, when he makes Darkne/s the Deftruétion of Colours t.—
Colours are only in the Rays of the Sun: In Natural Bodies is
a Quality or Power to reflect the Light falling upon them, which
page the Eye, produces in the SpeCtator the Senfation of Co-
our,
Crov Ds:
* Alian, Gylhi Acceffio.
+ Ex Scytale fparfis etiam nunc fola pruinis
Exuvias pofitura fuas.---Lucan’s Pharf.
$ Rebus nox abftulit atra colores.--- Virgil.
Ts
72
-
_A NATURAL HISTORY
CxLovps often appear very beautifully coloured; they confift
of aqueous Particles, between which Air isinterfperfed ; therefore,
according to the various Thicknefs of thofe aqueous Particles, the
Cloud will be of a different Colour *,
IX. AMPHISBZNA Serpent, fo called from ang: & Baw,
Biceps,aMonfter with two Heads. This is a {mall and weak Crea-
ture, equal in Bulk toa little Finger, and about a Foot long, of a
whitifh or terraceous Colour; of the oviparous Family, of {mall
Eyes, no otherways vifible than the Prick of a little Needle; lives
much under ground, and is often found by digging; feeds upon
Ants. Under this Head, the Hiftorian mentions three Serpents,
VIZ.
Tue Brafilian, that has two Heads, and moves as a Crab-+.
THE Taprobanenfian, with four Heads; and he who believes it
muft have a four-headed Faith.
Tue Hungarian; of which elfewhere.
THE fame Hiftorian adds, that the marine Amphishena,
taken in the Emgii/b Sea, has two Heads. Ibzd. Pliny, Zhan,
Lucan, Mantuan,—affirm it has two Heads; Matthiolus denies
it, He/ychius is doubtful. Mention is made of a Serpent found
neat Chipping-Norton, not far from Oxford, having two Heads, and
Faces like Women ; one being fhaped after the new Tyre of that
Time; the other was habited after the old Fafhion, and had great
Wings refembling thofe of the Flinder-Moufe or Bat{. This
happened in the Reign of Edward III.
A Spanifb Author fays, that in Chiapa he found a two-headed
Serpent, 18 Inches long, in the Form of a Roman T, and very ve-
nemous ; it does not only kill, adds he, by its Bite, but if any
tread upon that part of the Ground over which ’twas juft gone, it
proves fatal ||. The Poet alfo fubfcribes to two Heads **. Tt
this two-headed Serpent has flain its Thoufands, there is a certain
metaphorical three-headed Serpent on the Banks of Zyder, that has
flain its Ten Thoufands.
PERHAPS
* Boerhaave, Gravefand. + Acofta. } Stow’s Annals, Loudon,printed, 1631.
|| Antonio de Herrera’s Hiftory of America. «
#* Et gravis ingenium furgens caput Ampkisbena.----Lucan, p. 270.
OFISERPERNT S a ge?"
Peruaps the Reafon of afcribing two Heads to this Ser-
pent, might be, becaufe it is faid to poifon by the Tail and Teeth.
Others fay, both Ends are fo like in Figure and Bulk, that they
are not eafily diftinguithed.
I r feems probable to me, that this Serpent, like fome Infeéts or
Worms, has a double Motion, antrorfum & retrorfium, which made
fome of the Antients conclude it had two Heads; one in the ufual
Situation, the other in the Extremity of the Caudz. Its Body is
of equal Thicknefs, and recommended to the View by various
and delightful Spots *.
W £ read of this Serpent in Goth/and, where it comes forth in
the Spring before all other Serpents, being more able to encounter
the cold Air +. Some Authors tell us, that its Skin wrapt about a
Stick, drives away all Serpents; which I place among the Tales of
Antiquity.
Tuts Serpent is found in the Lybzan Deferts, and alfo in the
Ifland of Lemnos, in the #gean Sea. The Puncture made by its
Wounds is fo fmall, that it can fcarcely be difcerned, yet termi-
nates in a dreadful Inflammation and a lingering Death.
ERASMUS was puzzled about the Senfe of that Greek Pro-
verb sdG & ifs, hydrus in dolio, a Serpent in the Hogfhead:
The Meaning of it, faid an Interpreter of Dreams, is this: A cer-
tain Perfon had a Vefiel of Wine, that was conftantly diminith-
ing, tho’ carefully lock’d up ; the Reafon of which he could not
account for, till he empty’d the Veffel, at the bottom of which he
found a Serpent rioting in Wine #.
PrRuH aApsasgood an Interpretation may be this, that there
was Venom in the Cask (of which the Serpent was an Emblem)
to all thofe who rioted in the Bowls of Excefs. Not fo, fays a
Son of Bacchus ; for
The thirfty Earth foaks up the Rain,
And drinks, and gapes for Drink again.
The Sea it/elf, which one would think,
Should have but little need of Drink,
Drinks-Ten thoufand Rivers up.—
L The
* Conrad. Gefner. “lian. Columella, lib. vi-
+ Ofaus Magnus Hift. B. xxi. t Conradus Gefner.
73
74
A NATURAL HISTORY
The bufy Sun, and one would guefs
By’s drunken fiery Face no le/s,
Drinks up the Sea. ———————
Fill up the Bowl then, fill it high,
Fill all the G1 affes there, for why,
Should every Creature drink, but I ?
Why, Man of Morals, tell me why ? *
Some of the Poets have thought this Amphishena to be the
Hydra Lernea, the many-headed Serpent, that was very terrible
to the adjacent Country, and flain by Hercules : When one Head
was cut off, many others fprung up ; fo that there was no way to
deftroy the Monfter, but by cutting off all the Heads with one
Stroke.
Tuo’ there be no Amphisbenick Animals, there is fome Re-
femblance of it in Plants, whofe Cotyledon is always double, and
in the common Centre of the two, is a Point or Speck, which is
the Plantule, or the Tree in Embryo; which Plantule being aéted
on by the Earth, warmed by the Sun, begins to expand, and
fhoots its Root both upward and downward. Thus, in a Bean
committed to the Ground, we foon fee it to cleave into two
Parts, and in the Fiffure appears a little Speck, which fends out a
Root downwards, and a Bud upwards.——A remarkable Pheno-
menon, fays the Note on Boerbaave's Theory.
X. Amon Serpents, Authors place Dragons ; Creatures ter-
rible and fierce in Afpe&t and Nature. They are divided into
Apodes and Pedates, {ome with Feet, and fome without them ;
fome are privileged with Wings, and others are deftitute of Wings
and Feet: Some are covered with fharp Scales, which make a
bright Appearance in fome Pofition. Some have obferved, that
about the Ganges, are Dragons whofe Eyes fparkle like precious.
Stones,
Tu ey differ in external Form: The Draconopades are repre-
~ fented by a human Face, and fightly Countenance ; the reft of the
Body in a tortuous winding Shape. In one of Dr. Yohbzfon's Fi-
gures, a Dragon is made to appear like a Man’s Face, with a Gre-
nadier’s Cap on the Head. Some differ in Colour, fome are
blaek
* Cowley’s Anacreon.
OF SERPENTS.
black in the upper Part of the Body, according to Philoffratus ,
red, according to Homer; yellow, according to Paufanias; and
Lucan makes it a golden Colour *,
Tue fame Hiftorian obferves, that in the Atlantick Moun-
tains, they kill where they touch, and thofe that are in the King-
dom of Narfinga, and dwell in the Woods, kill all they meet.
Tbid.
I a ESUME, the Author means Navfinga, a potent King-
dom, bounded on the Eaft with the Bay of Benga/, that noble
Part of India, fays Herbert ¢; where the Monarch is always at-
tended with 1000 for his Guards, has § or 6000 Jefters, and rec«
kons it one of his chief Titles to be the Hufband of a Thoufand
Wives.
DracGcons are Inhabitants of Africa and Afa; thofe of
India exceed moft in Largenefs and Longitude : In the Tower of
London, is the Skin of one, which is of vaft Bulk. In 4¢hzo0-
pia, they have no Name for Dragons, but Killers of Elephants,
which is fuppofed to be the largeft of Land-Animals.
Over the Water-gate in the City of Rhodes, there is fet up
the Head of a Dragon, which was 33 Foot long, that wafted all
the Country, till it was flain by Deodate de Gozon, one of the
Knights of St. fobn Baptift ||. The Knights of that Order had
frequently attack’d it, but in vain ; for its Scales being proof a
gainft all their Arms, it deftroyed fo many of them, that the
Grand Mafter forbad them to engage the Monfter any more.
GOZON, who, after feveral dangerous Onfets efcaped with
his Life, refolved to make another Trial by Stratagem ; perceiv-
ing it was no where vulnerable but in the Eyes and Belly, con-
trived the Refemblance of a Dragon by a Machine of Paftboard,
of equal Bulk with the Dragon, and by certain Springs made it
leap like a true Dragon: Having trained up a Couple of fierce
Dogs to attack it atthe Belly, he went out privately one Morning,
well-armed ona managed Horfe with his Dogs, and rode up to the
Ln Den,
* Philoftratus deVita Apol. lib. iii. cap. 2. Homer. Wiad. lib. 12. Lucan. Phar fal:
in Fonftont Hiftoria Serpentum, p. 33, 34.
+ Unde qridam in arbores & chamo dracones diftinxere.
{ His Travels into Africa and Afa, ihe famous Empires of Perfia and Indo-
an,—Oriental If{lands. ‘
|| Atlas Geog. Anatol 2, p. 43,--4. from Tz vernier and Du Aone.
75
76
A NATURAL HISTORY
Den, from whence the Dragon leaped furioufly at him: In the
Encounter, the Dogs laid hold on his Belly, and forced him to lie
down ; upon which the valiant Knight alighted, thruft his great
Sword feveral times into his Throat, and foon killed him: Upon
which the Spectators drew near, and with great difficulty fever’d
the Head from the Body, and lugged it into the Town in Tri-
umph.
T H E Conqueror was degraded for the fake of Form, becaufe
he had violated the Grand-Mafter’s Order ; but was immediately
reftored, and foon after was elected Grand-Mafter himfelf ; he
died in the Year 1335, and on his Tomb were engraven thefe
Words, Draconis Extinétor ; The Deftroyer of the Dragon.
In the Life of A¢tilius Regulus (the Roman General in the War
againft the Carthaginians) is defcribed a Dragon of prodigious
Bulk near the River Bagrada, that annoyed all the Country round,
without Remedy. Several Devices were formed to deftroy it, but
without effect, till the Military Po//é was called in, who difcharged
the Exgines of War againft it with Succefs: And fo great was this
Deliverance, that an Ovation, or a {mall Triumph, was publickly
made at Rome for the Victory.
XI. The Pythian Dragon, fo called from its being the Guar-
dian of the De/phick Oracle: Its Eyes are large and fharp, and
the Body painted with Variety of Colours, as red, yellow, green
and blue, and furnifhed with Scales that are refplendent, well com-
pacted and hard. It has been called Deucaloneus, becaufe in the
Language of Ignorance, it was produced from the Mud left by the
Deucalionian Deluge : a Serpent of prodigious Bulk.*
PYTHON is alfo taken for a prophetick Demon, by St.
Luke +.—As we went to Prayer, a certain Damfel poffeft with a
Spirit of Divination, (having the Spirit of Pytho, according to the
Greek) which brought her Majfters much Gain by Sooth-faying, that
is, by Predictions, telling of Fortunes. Python of the Greeks is
fuppofed the Iyphon of the Pheniczans, and the Phenician Ty-
phon to be Ogg King of Ba/ban, and Apollo that flew it, to be
fofbua. Apollois called Pythius from this Serpent, or from fome
notorious Tyrant of that Name, flain'’by him, as the antient Geo-
grapher
* Fonftonus. + A&@XVi. 16.—TNvevpa Mvdwvoa
OF SERPENTS.
grapher obferves. So Gefner from Pau/fanias. The Prieftefs
of Apollo, that delivered the Sacred Oracles, was called Pyzhia
and Pythoniffa. This Pythonick Spirit among the Gentiles, was
efteemed as a God, and by ‘fuvenal is ftyled Vates, a Prophet.
Tue Prieftefs that delivered the Sacred Oracles, was called
Pythia, from Apollo Pythias, and muft be a pure Virgin. Moft
of the Fathers of the Church were of opinion, that it was the De-
vil gave the Anfwers, which were generally dubious, a Sign of his
Ignorance about Futurity.
On £ Ocnomaus, a certain Pagan Philofopher, highly refenting
it, that he had been fo often befooled by the Oracles, {peaks to
Apollo thus---“‘ When we come to confult thee, either thou know-
“eft Things to come or not. If thou knoweft them, why doft
“‘ not thou fpeak fo as to be underftood? If thou knoweft not,
“« why doft thou pretend to it? If Things neceffarily come to
“< pafs, why doft thou amufe us with Ambiguities ? *”
F.BALTHUS, a learned Jefuit, and F. Bouchet, fay there were
real Oracles, and {uch that can never be attributed to Priefts and
Priefteffes; and that the Devil {till gives Oracles in the Indies, and
that not by Idols, which would be liable to Impofture, but by the
Mouths of Priefts,and By-Standers; and that the Devil becomes
mute, in proportion as the Gofpel prevails.
“It is generally believed among the moreLearned, that the Pa-
** gan Oracles were mere Frauds and Impoftures, and calcu-
“* lated to ferve the political Views of Princes, and covetous
““ Ends of Pagan Priefts.” According to the learned Bayk,
they were meer human Artifices ; and he is feconded by Van-
dale and Fontenelle. But to return to the Oracle at Delphos, which
was very antient and much in vogue before the Trojan War: The
Situation of the Place, where People were made to believe God
fpoke, was at the Mouth of a certain Cavern, whence they received
their Intelligence. The Prophetefs fat upon a Tripodium, a three-
footed Stool, affifted in her Function by divers Priefts.
Unpver her Seat, ’tis faid, that fome time there appeared a
Dragon, through whofe Throat Refponfes were audibly deliver’d,
with a loud and ftrong Voice: According to Eu/ébius, a Serpent
rolled itfelf about the Tripod, on which the Prieft fat.
Or
* Enfebins.
Wii
48
A NATURAL HISTORY
O F all Oracles, that of Apollo Pythius at Delphos, in the Agean
Sea, was the moft celebrated, and confulted as the dermier Refort by
the Princes of thofe Times; yea, all the Greeks reforted thither
for Counfel in Matters of Importance. At the firft opening of
that Oracular Office, Anfwers were given to the Querift in Verfe ;
but upon People’s ridiculing the Poornefs of the Verfification,
the Oracle fell to Profe. °Tis ftrange, that what they made a God,
could not make a good Verfe, but not.ftrange to fee the old Serpent
. adhering to its firft Scheme of Politicks, by making the weaker
Veffel the Vehicle to convey his ftrong Delufions to the World.
Some of thefe Draconick Serpents excel in the Senfations of
Hearing and Seeing, as well as in the Art of Killing; and therefore
a Dragon was made the Confervator of their Treafures and Curiofi-
ties; e. @. Mauritania in Africa, was famous for the Gardens of the
Hefperides ({o called from three Sifters and Daughters of King
Hefperius) that produced Golden Apples, and were guarded by a
Dragon; which Hercules having killed or charm’d into a profound
Sleep, he robbed the Golden Orchard.
Tue Rod of Mofes, ’tis faid, was turned into a Serpent.. The
Syriack, Arabick, and Septuagint Tranilations, fay, twas turned in-
toa Dragon; and fo the Rods of the Magicians became Dragons.
XII. The Bafilisk or Cockatrice, is a Serpent of the Draconick
Line, the Property of frica, fays lian, and denied by others :
In fhape, refembles a Cock, the Tail excepted. Authors differ
about its Extra@tion; the Egypteans fay, it {prings from the Egg
of the Bird Jézs; and others; from the Eggs of aCock: Other
Conje@tures about its Defcent, being as ridiculous, I forbear to
mention them. Nor are they agreed whether it more inclines to
the black or yellow Colour; nor are their Sentiments lefs various
about its Stature.
Ir is. grofs in Body, of fiery Eyes, and fharp Head, on which
it wears a Creft, like.a Cock’sComb; and has the Honour tobe
ftiled Regulus by the Latins, the Little King of Serpents; and‘us
generally fuppofed to be terrible to them, The Sight of this
Animal, and Sound ‘of his Voice, puts them to flight, and even:to _
over-run their Prey*: Yea, Tradition adds, that his Eyes and
Breath are killing; that is, I prefume, when he grafps vou
~ Severa
* Sibilo efus reliquos terreri > predam derclinguere.
= ‘ .
y HY
fj
yf
MH
Y}
i
OF SERPENTS.
Several dreadful things are attributed to his venemous Qualities,
fo fing the Poets *.
Accorp1ING to Pliny and other antient Hiftorians, this Ser-
pent in its Motion, inclines to the Ereét; it goes half upright,
the middle and pofterior parts of the Body only touching the
Ground. The Venom of the Bafilifl is faid to be fo exalted, that
if it bites a Staff, “twill kill the Perfon that makes ufe of it; but
this is Tradition without a Voucher +.
THE reafon why this Serpent is dubb’d Kg, is not becaufe
*tis larger in bulk than others of the Fraternity, or becaufe it wears
a Crown, or becaufe that Title feems to be recognized by a divine
Prophet, who fpeaking of Ahaz and his Son Hezekiah, {fays,
Out of the Serpent's Root fhall come forth a Cockatrice, and bis:
Fruit fhall be a fiery flying Serpent. The Hebrew exprefles it by
a word, that fignifies a Prince or King, but not with a View to
Empire over the ferpentine Race.
Bur ‘tis moft probable, that the royal Stile is given to this.
Serpent, becaufe of its maje/tic Pace, which feems to be attended
with an Air of Grandeur and Authority. It does not, like other
Serpents, creep on the Earth ; which if it did, the fight of it
would not be frightful, but moving about, in a fort of an erect
Pofture, it looks likea Creature of another Species, therefore they
conclude ‘tis an Enemy. Serpents are for Uniformity, therefore:
can’t endure thofe that differ from them in the Mode of Motion.
’"T 1s faid of this Creature, that its Poifon infects the Air to»
that Degree, that no other Animal can live near it, according to-
the Tradition of the Elders famous for magnificent Tales. Thefe:
little Furiofo’s are bred in the Solitudes of Africa, and are alfo:
found in fome other Places, and every where are terrible Neigh-
bours.
Tue crown’d. Bafilifk leads me to Ovid, who, fpeaking of
Man’s erect Pofture, fays ’tisa Mark of Diftin@tion. due to the
Excellencies of the human Mind :
A
* Tam teter vacuas odor hinc exhalat in aurss;
Atque propinquantes penetrant non fegniter artus. Nica.
Ante venena nocens, late fibi f{ubmovet omne
Vulgus, & in vacua regnat Bafilifcus arena. Lucat. 270.
4 lian. Gyllii Acceffio, cap. xviii. p. 247. “Fonftont Hifforia Naturals Serpe
P- 34> 35-
6
73
80
A NATURAL HISTORY
A Creature of a more exalted kind
Was wanting yet; and then was Man defign'd,
Confcious of Thought, of more capacious Breaft.——
2. AND partly as an Enfign of Royalty, fome Characters where-
of Naturalifts have obferved in fome other petty Principalities ;
fuch as the Crown on the Dolphin, Diadem on the Bafilifk, the
Lion’s ftately Mane, which ferves as a Collar of Honour.—
But Man, being vefted with an univerfal Monarchy, walks
upon the Earth, like a Mafter in his own Houfe.
XIU. Tue Cacia or Typhiinus, the blind Worm, as the
Greek word imports ; not that it wants Eyes, but becaufe they are
fo little, that he muft be furnifh’d with good Optics that can dif-
cern them: And the Ear alfo is as remarkably dull, therefore call’d
by the Greeks «Pixs *; of a brown Colour, full of Spots, varie-
gated: The Belly is blackifh, the Neck fky-colour’d, garnifh’d
with certain black Spots: Head like a Lamprey, and is as free
from Poifon: Little Teeth, a forked Tongue, and may be handled
without hurt +.
_ Tuts Serpent feems to refemble thofe People which we call
Myops, z.e. Moufe-eyed, or purblind, which happens when the
Bye is fo convex, that the Rays of Light unite, before they come
to the Retina, which makes the Eye alfo look fmall, whence the
Name f.
T HE Cacilian Serpent is about a Foot long, and diftinguifhable
from our common Serpents by the Form of its Body, which is al-
moft of the fame Craffitude, excepting two or three Inches at the
extremity of the Tail. Conradus Gefner tells us, his Wife ftruck
one of thefe Serpents on the Head, when ’twas pregnant, and it
immediately caft forth its young |].
XIV. Tue Cencris, ot Cencrina isa {potted Serpent, and very
venemous; denominated from Mi/ium, a {mall Grain call’d Muil-
let-feed ; to which Hiftorians compare the Spots wherewith this
Serpent
* Quafi furdafter, quod hebetis fit auditus. ;
+ Nicand r calls it.@eyuevror, quod nullam noxam inferat. You/fomus, p. 19.
t From ra.» excxco, xwPow, exfurdo.
|| Gefzer, p.36. Elian.
O Fs) ER UP ENVY, s:
Serpent is adorn’d : For the fame reafon, a certain Species of the
Herpes, that is, a cutaneous Diftemper, which is a kind of {pread-
ing Inflammation, (and is like Millet-feed on the Skin) is called
Miliary: And by fome, this is called the Miliary Serpent *.
T urs Serpent is compared by Nicander to a Lion; either for
Cruelty in thirfting after Blood, or for its Courage, which ap-
pears in all its Attacks. How furious in all its Wars, oftenfive
and defenfive! always fighting, Lion-like, with an ereéted Tail:
Which leads me to a Digreffion about the Turki/h Standard,
which is a Horfe-Tail erected: The Original of that Cuftom was
this, viz. One of the Turkifh Generals having his Standard taken
ina Battle with the Chrifzans, and perceiving his Men difcouraged
by the lofs of it, he cut off a Hor/e-Tail, and faftening it to the
top of a Ha/f-pike, advanced it on high, crying out, This zs the
great Standard, let thofe that love me follow it : Upon which his
Men rallied, fought like Lzons, and obtained the Victory -f.
Bu T to return to the Serpent, which moving in a dire@ Line,
goes faft, but being of great Buik, can’t fuddenly wind about ft:
Circumvolution is the way to avoid its Menaces. ’Tis commouly
found in the Ifland of Lemos (the old Dipolis, and now the Sta-
limene of the Turks) and alfo in Samotbracia, an Wand in the
Archipelago, a Province antiently famous for the Diz Cadiri, that
is, certain Gods worfhipped by the Samothracians and Pheniczans,
and had in fuch high Veneration, that it was a Crime to mention
Names fo facred among the People|]. Some fay they were God’s
Minifters, others think they were Devils.
XV. THE Acontia**, called by the Latins, Serpens facularis,
and by fome, the Flying Serpent, becaufe of the Celerity of its
Motion. In Lemnos ’tis call’d Sagittarius, the Bowman or Archer.
By the modern Greeks, Saeta, a Dart; for it flies like an Arrow
at its Prey +. A certain Perfon in Cato’s Army call’d Paulus, was
flain,
*® Ab aliquibus Miliaris appellatur. Jonftonus, p. 20. t Taveruier.
{ Ex femper recto lapfurus limite cencris. Lucan. Pharfal. p. 26g.
| Bochart Geogr. Sacra, lib. i. cap. 12
** Axo re auovres, quod jaculi inftar, fe vibret.
Tt Rumpat & Serpens iter infticutum
Si per obliquum fimilis fagittas
erruit Mannos.
M
8x
82
A NATURAL HISTORY
flain, not by the Poifon, but the Violence of its Blow *: Pro-
bably on the lateral part of the Scull.
Av THORS are not agreed about its Dimenfions. Ambrofzus
{peaking of one he had feen in the Bononian Mujeum, fays, ’tis
about the thicknefs of a Staff, and about three Foot long: It is
found in Egypt, its Wounds are dreadful, being attended with
Putrefaction and Defluxion of the Fleth.
Tuat which Bellomus faw, was three Palms long, or fixteen
Inches and a Finger’s Breadth. N. B. Palmus ftands for two dif-
ferent Meafures; Palnus major contains twelve Fingers; Palmus
minor, four Inches:
Ir lies in wait under Bufhes, from whence it rufhes out una-
wares, and flies like an Arrow at Paflengers: Before it leaps at
the Prey, it lies on the Ground, and turns itfelf round, to give
the greater fpring to the Motion, by which fhe’ll do execution
at twenty Cubits diftance +.
THeEse nimble Leapers are found among the Weft-Indians,
efpecially in Hi/paniola, where there are little Serpents in green
Apparel, that hang by the Tail on the Branches, from whence
they fuddenly leap upon their Prey. Among the Sab@ans are
fome cloathed in red, four Inches long, that thus leap upon Men
unawares; and hurt, not only by ftriking, but touching.
Tuts Serpent refembles the Afh in Colour, inclining to the
white. It traverfes the Lydian Provinces, where it makes travel-
ling dangerous: It is alfo found in the Ifland of Rhodes; an Ifland
on which, the Poets tell us, Golden Showers are rain'd, and
where the Air is never fo clouded, as to hinder the Light of the
Sun. It appears alfo in Norway, according to Olaus Magnus,
One tells us, that he was inform’d by one ‘fobn Vitus, a
learned Hungarian, that there were in that Country /7tz/le Serpents
about fix Inches long, and without a Tail, therefore called by the
Vulgar, the curtail’d Serpent, the whole Body is much of an
equal Thicknefs; and thefe, upon View of their Prey, leap upon
it with the Swiftnefs of an Arrow f.
XVI.
* ——immifit (jaculum wocat Africa,) ferpens
Perque caput Pauli cranfaéta tempora fugit
Nil ibi virus egit: rapuit cum vulnere tatum.
Lucani Pharfalia, \ib. ix. p. 27
+ Fonftonus, p. 20, 21. t Conrad. Gefner. in Veroum.
OF SERPENTS.
XVI. Tue Druina Serpent from %s, an Oak, by Scalegcr
called Querculus; it takes its Name from the Oak, in whofe ho!-
low places it feems to refide ; and to which, it retires for Refuge,
when aflaulted by Hornets. Some credulous Authors have
faid, that thefe Serpents take up their hybernal Lodgings about
the Roots of the Beach-frees, and by Virtue of the Warmth,
which thofe Roots derive from them, that Tree, fo enhappy’d,
flourifhes all Winter.
Tuts Serpent is of the amphibious kind, and a moft venemous
Creature, therefore rang’d with the firft Order of the ferpentine
Race. ’Tis of monftrous bulk *, guarded by a rough fquamma-
tick Armour, in the Cavities of which, ’tis faid, little Flies build
their Nefts. Whether it appears in white or blue Habit, is not
material, nor do I fee what Honour it gets by wearing a Coronet
on its Head.
In the Language of Tradition, to tread upon it, will caufe an
Excoriation in the Foot, (tho no Wound be given) and a Tumor
in the Leg; yea, adds the Traditionift, the Hands that attend
the Patient, will be in danger of lofing their Skin: But he who
believes all the Fables of Antiquity, is in more danger of lofing
his Reafon.
THe Druinical Serpent goes under various Denominations. Tis
faid to follow the Acontia in Authors, becaute its Figure exactly
quadrates with Bellonius’s dart Serpent; and Scaliger was in the
fame Sentiment -f.
Bur I fhall only mention that of Cherfpdrus, from Nicander
in ‘Fonftonus, p.28. or Cheldrus, called by fome a Sea-Snazl;
which the learned Sir Hans Sloane detcribes thus-——‘‘ That it is
** more flat than moft of the cochlean Marines, confifting only
** of Circumvolutions, round the Axis of the Shell; of a fine pur-
*‘ ple Colour.” He calls it Cochlea Marina {, and not without
reafon, becau(fe of their difference in Magnitude.
Tue terreftrial Druina lives upon Frogs, and other Infects ;
many of them are found in Africa-Interior, and the Hellefpont
by Confiantinople. It is a fetid Animal, and fends forth an ill
Scent, efpecially when its Body is wounded |.
2 THIs
* Ir is a Load for a Porter. + Fonjto.us, Articul. xiii, p. 21.
t His Voyage to Famaica, vol.i. p. 34. | lian, Gyllins, Gefner.
83
BA.
A NATURAL HISTORY
Turs Serpent exceeds moft in bulk, and loudnefs in hiffing,
which refembles the Cry of Sheep and Goats, ibid. Gyllius makes
the Druina to be the Chelydrus, defcribed by the Poet, who
makes it a Calabrian *: Of which, more in another place.
XVII. Tut Elops or Elaphis of the Antients, which fome
confound with the Czczla, as ‘fonftonus obferves: It is of the
amphibious Sort, and known at Lemnos, where ’tis call'd Laphiati
by the Natives. In A/drovandus’s Study, Ambrofinus faw the Pic-
ture of this Serpent, which was about three Foot long ; the Belly
is of a yellow Colour, the Back is brown, and diftinguifhable by
three black Lines --.
THERE is a marine Elope, an. Animal counted facred by the
Poets, a Set of merry Mortals, famous for turning every thing
into a God, or Ridicule. The Hiftorian mentions a certain Fifh
fo called, that upon any loud Noife made on Land near the Shore,,
would immediately haften towards the Place, as if it would fee
who durft rival Triton in Sound; Trton, Herald of Neptune, So-
vereign of the Sea..
XVIIL..Tue Pareas or Parvas, is a Serpent of a fiery Co-
Your, fharp Eyes, wide Mouth, two Feet fituated near the Tail,
by which its Motion is guided }: It is called the Serpent of E/cu-
fapius, being of a gentle, innocent, friendly Nature. In Jtaly
they frequent Houfes, and are no more dangerous than common
Fels ; and if provoked to exercife their Teeth, there is nothing ve-
nemous in the Bite. This is fuppofed by fome to be the Jtalan
Baron: One of its commendable Properties is, that it devours
poifonous Serpents; and therefore is facred to the Myfteries, and
highly efteem’d in the Temple of Dzonyfus.
Gejner ||, from Albertus fays, it goes as it were upright, on its
Tail, not perpendicularly upon the fharp End, but on that Part
of the Body joined to the Tail: It is bred in Syria, Alexandria,
and.in the Eaft, &c. Thefe Serpents are known alfo in Spain
and.
* Nidore chelydvos
Ef? etiam ille malus colubris in faltibus anguis
Poftquam exbaxfta palus—Virg. Georg. |. iii. This is applied alfo to the Hydrzs.
> Ray.
t Et contentus, iter cauda fulcare Pareas. Lucan. Pharf. 270.
] Quali totus erectus graditur fuper candams 1. v. p. 65.
OF SERPENTS.
and ether temperate Regions, and every where efteemed Enemies
to hurtful Serpents, and Friends to Mankind ; therefore were
confecrated to the divine E/cu/apzus, that great and glorious Exem-
plar of Humanity.
XIX. Tue Dipfas or Diffacus is a little venemous Reptile
of the Afpick-kind *, lefs than a Viper, but kills fooner ; and is
moft remarkable in this, that when it bites, the Poifon brings an:
unquenchable Thirft on the Perfon affected, who finding no Re-
lief, runs to the Water, and drinks till he burfts afunder -.
Tue Poetick Hiftorian obferves, how ulus, an Enfign-
bearer in the Roman Army in Africa, was flain by this Serpent ;
at firft he felt little or no Pain from the Bite, but as foon as it be-
gan to operate, he was immediately fcorch’d to death}. Gaz
calls this Serpent Dzabetes, and £gineta Dipfacus, from the in-
curable Fhirft that accompanies its Bite: By others ’tis called 5z-
tula, becaufe of the burning Heat caufed by the Wound.
Ir is about a Cubit in Length, lives in falt Marfhes and fhal-
low Waters; it dwells in Arabia, Rhodes, Africa, efpecially in
Lybia, where fome Branches of the venemous Family live on Ca=
mel’s Flefh, and Locufts dried in the Sun. The more hot the
Climate, the more terrible the Wound, as it is in that hot Coun-
try, where they have no Springs, but a few falt Wells, which en-
creafe the animal Appetite of Thirft. Fhe learned Venetian
makes the Serpent Drp/asan Hieroglyphick of tllicit Love,. the Poi-
fon of which will, without timely Repentance, excite the Thirft
of Dives, who wanted a Drop of Water to cool his fcorched:
‘Fongue ||.
XX. Common Snake. Thefe Serpents in their Summer-rambles:
haunt among Bufhes, mofly Grounds, uliginous and unfrequent-
ed Situations. Ina fultry Day they may be feen basking them-
ielves. in the Sun, near their Apartments: The Sight of a Perfon
puts
* Some make it of te viperine Sort. One callsit, Vipera fiticulof2. Vipera fiten-
facentes. Avicenna. Conrad. Gefner, p. 42. Inter a/pidem G- viperam, fays ano--
ther. did. + Acceffio Gyllii, cap. 4.7.
{ju Sanguinis Aulam
Torta caput retro Dipfas calcata momordit.
Vix 40} —_—-————__——p, 270.
| Foannis Pierii Valeriani Bellunenfis Hieroglyphicay inter ColleLanen, pi 34. Tita
dus, Amoris ignes.- vi
85
86
A NATURAL HISTORY
puts them to flight; and upon a clofe Purfuit of them, they
make a Stand, raife up their Heads to a confiderable Height, and
oppofe the Enemy with a loud and angry Hifs. No Danger is
apprehended from their Bite, and they are handled with Impunity.
Tus Species of Serpents refembles the E/culapian, that has
been fed in fome Families; and when provoked to ufe the Teeth,
the Danger is no more than that from a Bee, whofe Weapons
are defenfive, and not employed without Provocation: In Winter
they retire into {ubterraneous Spaces, where they lie dormant, till
the vernal Sun invites them out.
T HouGH they propagate as Vipers, it does not appear that
they fit on their Eggs, as moft oviparous Animals do ; for we
often finda Brood of young Serpents in old Hedges and Dunghils,
and no vifible Sign of a common Pafiage to and from the Neft.
XXI. Tuer Elephantia Serpents are thofe whofe Wounds caft
People into a Leprofy or Roughnefs of Skin, like that of an Ele-
phant: Hence Leprofy proceeding from inward Diforders, is call’d
Elephantia or Elephantiafis, which isa cutaneous Difeafe, makes
the Skin fcurfy and rough, in Colour refembling that of an Ani-
mal, that in Bulk and Intelligence is fuperior to all four-footed
Beatts.
ELEPHANTS in India are faid to be about 12 Foot high,
and of a Moufe-colour, the Skin not only rough, but hard, fo
hard, that it is not penetrable by a Sword ; their Eyes ijike thofe
of Swine; two Teeth hang out beyond the reft, which are Ivory.
A MEMORABLE Inftance of this gigantick Creature’s Un-
derftanding, we had a few Years ago at Newca/tle in Staford/hire,
where a Man travellmg with an Elephant for a Show, one Morn-
ing conducting that Creature to water, happened to pafs bya
Taylor’s Shop, that was working at an open Window, and fo
near it, that the Taylor had the Courage to prick him with his
Needle: The Beaft did not then feem to refent the Affront, but
when he returned from the Water, which he having artfully
muddled, took into his Trunk; as he came back by the Taylor’s
Window, fpouted it in his Face, which very much difobliged a
Piece of Scarlet-cloth on his Table.
Tuat Elephants are fubjec&t to Wrath and Revenge, is evi-
dent from other Inftances: e.g. We read of an Elephant, that
6 when
}
i) MT
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nee Hl
| i
Hl,
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HK 4 NIN
Hi i! TH
alum f
OF SERPENTS.
when he was brought into a certain Theatre, faw, as. he pafs'd
along, a Keeper of wild Beafts, fitting in the Market-place, whom
he fuddenly killed: And that the occafion of this Revenge was,
becaufe the faid Keeper about ten Years before had ftruck him
with a Sword in that fame Place *.
Anp 4Acofta writes, that a Soldier in the Town of Cochine,.
had thrown the Kernel of a Nut at an Elephant, which the Ani-
mal took up and carefully hid: Some Days after, the Elephant
feeing the faid Soldier pafs by, threw it in his Face, and went
away leapingand dancing. Ibid.
In that fame Town, another Soldier, meeting an Elephant
and his Keeper, wou’d not give way to them: Whereupon the
Keeper complained to the Elephant of the Affront, who fome
days after, ftanding on the River Mangata, which runs through
the Town, and feeing that fturdy Soldier ftand idle, ran haftily
towards him, lifted him upon his Trunk, and plunged him feve-
ral Times in the River ; after which, he drew him out, and lefé.
him where he found him. ézd.
XXII. Tue Scorpion is one of the Inhabitants of the World in
Miniature; though a little Infe@, yet is reckoned to be one of the
chiefeft among ftinging Animals, whofe Poifon in different Re-
gions is lefs or more dangerous, as it is exalted by various Degrees
of Heat. It has eight Legs, and two large Claws, refembling:
thofe ofa Lobfter, and a Body like a Crab or Craw-fith: They
are of various Colours, as red, white, yellow, black: They differ
alfo in their Size and Kinds, as the marine, terreftrial, reptile,.
winged, hurtful and innocent.
Some are of the Bignefs and Length of a Man’s Finger, not
much longer than a Beetle or a black Fly: Thofe known to us
are of a brown Colour, the Back compofed of Joints refembling:
‘thofe of a Crab, but more cruftaceous.
AuTuoRs differ about the Tail, whether it be knotty or
not; but all agree, that it is furnifhed with a terrible Sting, worfe-
than the knotted Whip. Many Places produce Scorpions of the
minute Sort, not much exceeding the Length of a large Bean.
OTHERS
* Michael Glycas’s Ancal. par..1. in the Memoirs of the Royal Society, vol. v5 vis.
P- 282) 281. ibid, p.281, i :
84
88
A NATURAL SGIIS BOR Y
OrueErRs are more bulky, as thofe at Serufalem, and all
about Syria, not unlike our little fluvial Crabs for Bignefs, which
they call Gambarz.
In the Eaf-Indies are large Scorpions of the winged Kind; fo
in Egypt, where it is reported they are armed with two Stings *.
Ir is obfervable, thefe large Scorpions taking their Flight
againft the Wind, fometimes drop down, and fo are taken by the
Country People, and perhaps fent to fcorpionize other King-
doms. ;
Tue Sea-fcorpion is a flying Animal, and of a red Colour,
whofe Flefh is good, and much better than what they call Scor-
pena, that affcéts muddy Water and moorith Habitations.
THERE isa vaft Spread of thefe venemous Animals over the
World, both of the winged and creeping Kind, in the Eaftern
and Southern Climates. Some of them move with Tails fome-
what erected, others trailing on the ground ; and are thought to
be more dangerous than the former: The Coal-black Scorpion is
accounted the moft hurtful; ‘tis faid, that in many Placesin Pere
fia, the Inhabitants dare not fleep in Ground-rooms, for fear of
thefe little plaguy Creatures, the moft terrible of all Night-
walkers ; Of which more elfewhere.
A CERTAIN Hiftorian informs us of ftimulating Scorpions
that infeft Ca/han in Parthia: They are of fmall Size, not ftrong
in Body, but very terrible in their Wounds, there being the
greateft Malignity in their Stings; upon which is grafted this pro«
verbial Curfe in that Nation, May a Scorpion of Cathan /ting
thee +: But Chardin, Tavernier, and others, place Ca/han in Per-
fia, “where they are very much infefted with Scorpions at all
‘* Seafons, but efpecially when the Sun isin that Sign, which is
«© one of the twelve Signs in the Zodiack; fo that ’tis become,
“* fays another Hiftorian, a Curfe, May the Scorpions of Cafhan
“¢ fing thy Gulls.” This occafions every one to be provided with
fovercign Remedies againft them, which isa Piece ot Copper-money
they put upon the Wound, take it off 24 Hoursafter, and apply
a Plaifter of Honey and Vinegar. The Holftein Ambafiadors fay
they are very black, of the Length and Thicknefs of a Man’s
Finger,
Conradus Gefner in Verbum, p. 4.
Herbert’s Travels, Bookii. p. 13-
OF SERPENTS
Finger, and run fafter than Crab-fithes, with their Tails always
erected *,
W e read of a certain Emperor of Perfiz, who defigning to
make a Tour into Media, durft not undertake the Journey, for
the vaft Quantity of Scorpzons lying in the Road: So that he was
obliged to detach a great Number of ftout Fellows to deftroy
thofe peftiferous Animals, promifing a fuperior Reward to them
that kill’d moft: Till this Execution was over, he durft not ven-
ture his dignified Carcafs abroad. The Scythian Scorpions are of
the large Size, and terrible when they fhoot their Stings.
In Madagafcar, a large African Wand, are feveral Sorts of
Scorpions, particularly Water-Scorpions, that lie in the Marthes
and {tanding Waters, which are very mifchievous, killing Dogs
and Beafts, and then fucking their Blood. There is another Sort
of Scorpions with a great round black Belly, that are very dan-
gerous; for thofe whom they ftrike immediately fwoon, and
fome for two Days are weak, and cold as Ice. The only Reme-
dy they have, is that ufed againft Serpent's Wounds, wz. to fet
the Patient by a great Fire, and giving him Antidotes to expel the
Poifon, which proves a Cure +.
In Italy, Land-Scorpions are call’d Scurtificio, becaufe they
have their Poifon nel-pizzo, in the Extremity of their Tail.
Among the Germans, pizzo is fharp, as /pits als cen naalde, point-
ed as a Needle: The Country-people bring them in Sack-fuls to
Florence, and take them out with naked Hands, as if they were
fo many Eels, which fuppofes them to be of the innocent Kind,
like thofe white Scorpions in Pharos, a little Ifland in the Mouth
of Nilus, where there is plenty of thefe pacifick Animals, who of-
fer no Violence to their Neighbours. Mention is made of other
Provinces where they live and hurt no body f.
By the Spaniards the Scorpion is call’d Alazcran, from an
Ifland in America, called the Ifand of Scorpions, for the numerous
Multitude that ravage the Place. In Bra/fl is a vaft Number of
Scorpions, and fome four or five Foot long, in Shape like thofe of
Europe; but not fo venemous: Some of them chufe to kill them-
felves rather than die by the Hands of an Enemy. A certain
Gentleman who, made the Trial obferves, that a Scorpion being
N furrounded
* Duke of Holffein’s Ambaffadors Travels into Perfia, [parfim.s
t Atlas Geograph. Afia, from La Croix. + Fra. Redi opufculorum, pars prior.
5
8g
99
A NATURAL HISTORY
farrounded with a Circle of burning Coals, chofe to fting itfelf to
Death rather than be burnt.
In Ceylon in the Eaft-Indies, they have many Species of Ser-
pents; as,
XXII. Tue Pimbera Serpent, whofe Body is faid to be as
big as a Man’s Middle, and in Length proportionable. The
Creatures of this Kind fecure their Prey, even horned Beafts
(which fometimes are pretty large) by a fort of a Peg, or poznted
Hook, that grows upon the Extremity of the Tail: They are flow
in Motion, and therefore fkulk in hollow Places; and when they
have taken the Spoil, tho’ horned, they {wallow it alive, and
whole ; which often proves fatal, becaufe the Horns may gore the
Belly. More, further on.
XXIV. THe Noya Serpent is another ill-natur’d Indian, about
four Foot long, will ftand with its Body half upright two or three
Hours together, thereby difplaying an Air of Majefty: The In-
habitants call it the AK7ng’s Snake.
Tuer Poifon in that Part of the Country operates va-
rioufly: Some after they are bitten, fall into a profound Sleep,
and without fpeedy Help die in about fix Hours time: Others
grow diftracted, and if negleted die in twenty-four Hours, and
bleed at all the Pores of the Body, and are irrecoverable: Of
which before *.
XXV. Tue Polonga Serpent is five or fix Foot long, anda
moft venemous Creature, deftroying all manner of Animals that
fall within its Circuit, as well as Men, Women and Children.
When the Noya and Pofonga Serpents happen to meet, a bloody.
Battle enfues; they fight till one be kill’d, and then the Conque-
ror eats up the flain.
XXV. Tue Cobres Capellos, Sea-ferpents from eight to. ten
Yards long, are moft dangerous Beafts and frequently kill People
in that Country +.
WHEN Alexander was in the Eaff-Indies, he and his Mace-
donians were {trangely alarm’d by an Army of Serpents that fallied
upon
® Atlas Geogr. Afia. + Ilid. from. Baldeus.
5
OPES £ RIPE NTs.
upon ’em from the Woods, which would foon have deftroy’d
them, but for the Humanity of a Native, who directed them to
a certain Herb that cured their Wounds, and faved them from
Ruin*, The fame Hiftorian adds, that in thofe great Deferts,
frequent and terrible Scuffles happened between Elephants and
Serpents about Water, when they met at a Spring, and it fo fell
out fome time, that both perifh’d ; for the Serpent roll’d it felf
about the Elephant’s Leg by feveral Folds, who finding himfelf
wounded, falls down, and in falling often crufhes his Enemy te
death. Ibid.
In America is a vatt variety of Serpents, and fome of prodi-
gious Dimenfions; in particular, they are very numerous and
large in Cordillera, i.e. Andes, or high Mountains of Chile,
which Mountains, Antonio de Herrera callsa Prodigy of Nature,
not to be match’d in the kind: They are two Chains of high
Mountains, about 1500 Leagues in length: In that fpacious Re-
gion are Adders red as blood, feven or eight Foot long, which
in the Night appear like burning Coals, but not fo dangerous as
other Serpents, that are Imps of Darknefs. Acoffa and other
Writers tell us, that the Devil appear’d among the Americans in
the fhape of a Serpent.
THERE are fo many Sorts, fays Néeuhoff, that the Brafilians
reckon up no le{s than thirty-two, moft of which are here ac-
counted for.
XXVIII. Tue Caudifonant, or Rattle-/nake, is a large Species
of the Viper, and in its exterior Form every way fimilar, the
ruftling Tail excepted ; it moves with as much Agility as if fup-
ply’d with Wings, called therefore the Flyzng-/nake: It has fmall
Eyes, and four Teeth longer than the reft, of white Colour, and
fharp, like Thorns; the Head is guarded with {mall Scales, the
Back with larger and thicker Armour ; the Tail is compofed of
feveral loofe bony Articulaments that make a roaring Sound, loud
enough to be heard at a diftance; and therefore called the Bel/-
Snake.
IT is common in Virginia, where it appears to be from three
to four Foot long, and reckoned to be very poifonous; but {carce-
ly hurts any, unlefs provoked; and when offended, like the Pas
N2 )
* Diodor. Siculus.
Q2
A NATURAL HISTORY
of War, makes directly at the Enemy, without dread of Confe-
quences.
In the Hiftory of Peru, an Account is given of a young Wo-
man who was wounded by a Rattle-fnake, and died on the Spot,
before any Relief could be had; and when they came to take up
the Corpfe, the Flefh came off her Bones; fo fpeedily did the
violence of the Poifon diflolve the {tructure of the Body.
Tue method of killing this Snake, is thus given by Captain
Silas Taylor, viz. Of the Leaves of Dittany of Virginia (i. e.
wild Penny-royal) bruis’d, we took, fays he, and having faften’d
them at the end of a cloven Stick, we held it to the Nofe of the
Rattle-/nake, who by turning and wriggling, labour’d hard to avoid
it; but was kill’d with it in lefs than half an Hour’s time, and as.
is fuppofed by the meer Scent of that Vegetable *. This was done
A, D. 1657, in Fuly, at which Seafon thofe Creatures are re-
puted to be in the greateft Vigour for their Poifon: It is alfo re-
markable, that in thofe Places where this wild Penny-royal
grows, none of thefe Snakes are obferved to come +.
Tu £ bruifed Leaves of the Vzrgznian Dittany are very hot, and
biting upon the Tongue: Probably the ftrong Smell of it might
ftop the Paflages of Refpiration in thofe Animals, or ferment
with the Blood, fo as to fuffocate them. In Gre/ham College at
London may be feen fifteen Skins of Rattle-{nakes checker’d
Some appear in Afh-colour: Several Rattles of thofe Snakes,
moft of them compofed of above ten Joints.
XXVIII. THe Salamander is an amphibious Serpent, very
much fpotted; fuperior in Bulk to common Lizards.
Tue Land-Salamander is a little poifonous Reptile, that re- «
fembles the green Lizard, but more grofs in Body ; and is found
in Germany and other Places. .
CONRADUS Gefner, fays he faw one of ’em on the dips
perfectly black, with a fhort Tail: When wounded, a kind of
milky Liquid runs out. In Germany are feveral great Woods,
where black Salamanders have been feen; Te/te Matthiolt.
THIs
* Regnault, vol. ii. from Fourn. de: Scav. 1666. p. 113. Lowthorp’s Abridg. of
Philof, Tranfact. vol. ii. p. 817. + Ibid.
t Fonftonus de Quadrupedibus, p. 137.
OFF or E R/P EN WS:
Tuts little ftrange Animal affects moift, cold and folitary
Habitations. In fome parts of Germany great numbers of them
have been found in a Body piled up, one upon another: They
are of the oviparous kind, and propagate their Species by Eggs,
the common Semen of Fowls and Infeéts.
Tuey are Enemies to Frogs and the Tortoife, and feed on
little {mall Infeéts; and when they have Accefs to Honey and
Milk, they never want a Feaft.
Ir is of a poifonous Nature, and many have fuffer’d by its
Biting ; fo fays Pliny, with whom agree Nicander, Aétius, and
Abenfine.
GESNER is ina contrary Sentiment, and fays he had do-
meftick Salamanders, that offered no violence with their Teeth
without Provocation. ‘fon/fonus adds, that in Germany there ap-
peared no ill Effects of its Bite; but in France its Wounds were
of a moft deadly Nature, as appears by a Saying in that Kingdom.
viz. That a Man bit by a Salamander, fhould bave as many Phy-
ficians to cure him, as the Salamander has Spots, which are
numerous *.
THe Aquatic Salamander is not very unlike the former, un-
lefs it be in Colour and Figure; fome with a Tail turn’d up,,
others with a flat Tail, prominent in the middle: There are va-
rious forts of them ; one of which appears in the form of a Tur--
bot, whofe Eggs are as large as Garden-pears.
_ Wu EN upon Land their Mouth will not open, unlefs it be
by Force, or they be caft into a Veffel of Water: When put
upon Salt, they move the Tail and die; their Skin is clofe com-
pacted, and not penetrable by a Sword; and ’tis faid that Swine’s
Fleth is Poifon to them +.
THE common Report is, that the Sa/amander is able to live
in the Fire, which is.a vulgar Error :. The Hieroglyphick Hifto-
tian obferves, that upon Trial made, it was fo far from quench-
ing it, that it confum’d immediately. It is true, that Newts
(or Water-lizards) Frogs, Snails, and fuch icy Animals,. will
endure the Fire for a longer time than others will, by reafon of:
an.
* —_. tot medicis indigere quot macielas beftia habet, proverbio jattant. Jonftonus:
de Quadrupedibus, p. 137.
+ Fonftonus de Quadruped. p. 138.
1 Foannis Pierii Hierogl. cap. 21~26. p. 195-6, 7.-
,
93
Of
A NATURAL HISTORY
an extraordinary degree of Coldnefs, which diffipates and fcatters
the Flame for a little time.
I Have read an Experiment made upon a Salamander, that
was thrown into the Fire, and there came from it a fort of gelid,
moift, vifcous Humour, which refifted the Power of Fire for a
little time ; but thofe Exhalations being dried up, was foon con-
fum’d. In the Phils/o ofophical Tranfactions, we have another In-
ftance, which feems to carry the matter further.
M. STEN O writes from Rome, that a Knight called Corvinz,
had affured him, that having caft a Salamander (brought to him
out of the Indies) into the Fire, the Animal thereupon {welled
prefently, and then vomited ftore of thick flimy Matter, which
did put out the neighbouring Coals, to which the Salamander
retired immediately, putting them out alfo in the fame manner as
they rekindled; and by this means faved his Life about two
Hours, and afterwards lived nine Months; that he had kept it
eleven Months, without any other Food but what it took by
licking the Earth, on which it moved, and on which it had been
brought out of the Indies, which at firft was cover’d with a thick
Moifture, but being dried afterwards, the Urine of the Animal
ferved to moiften the fame: Being put upon Italian Earth, it
died within three days after *.
As to the Poffibility of the thing ; I make no doubt but ee
who made Water the Habitation of Fifh, can make Fire tobe
‘the ‘Refidence of another fort of Beings. The Sun, which is the
Centre-of our planetary Syftem; for aught-we-kadw, maybe the
Seat of glorious Inhabitants’; or, as others conjecture, the Place
of fiture Mifery.
Upon the whole, the Salamander being of a mucous, flimy, <
and cold Body, will, like Ice, foon extinguifh a little Fire, but -
will be as foon confum’d by a great Fire; therefore it was no Ab-
furdity in Galen, when, as a /ceptical Medicine, he recommended
the djbes of a Salamander.
THE like Frees, is obfervablein Water-Lizards, efpecially
af their Skins be prick’d: Yea, Frogs, Snails, White of Eggs,
will foon quench a leffer Coal. We read of incombuftible Cloth,
(Linnen .Paper,) made from a Flaxen-Mineral, called Askices
tby the Greeks, and Linum vivum by the Latins.
aE aS Se
* Lowthorp’s Abridgement, vy. ii..p. 816.
*
ARS Ny *®
4 ad
4 y * 4
= sigan Asie ay cena as
Mos ER PEN T4.
Turs Asbeffos, or Matter out of which this wonderful Cloth...
is made, is a Foffil, a mineral {tony Subftance, of a whitifh Co-
lour, and woolly Texture (call’d Salamander’s-Wool) the downy
Fibres, feparable into fhort Filaments of Threads, capable of be-
ing fpun, and move into a fort of Cloth, which will endure the
Fire without confuming. When foul, inftead of wafhing, they
throw it into the Fire, which cleanfes without burning it. Whole
Webs and Coats, Napkins, Handkerchiefs, Towels, have been
made of it; which were fo far from being confumed by Fire, that
they were only cleanfed from their Drofs, and came out purified
into a greater Luftre than if wafh’d with Warer.
Irs principal ufe,*according to Pliny *, was for making of
Shrouds, in which the Corps of their Kings were ufually burnt,
left their royal Afhes fhould be blended with common Dutt.
The Princes of Yartary ufe it to this day in burning the Dead +.
Nero had a Napkin or Towel made of it. The Brachmans a-
mong the Indians, are faid to make Clothes of it. The Wicks
for their perpetual Candles were made of it {; and fome to this.
day ufe it for Lamp-Wicks.
Tue Emperor Conftantine ordered an incombuftible fort of
Linnen to be made of Lapis Amianthus, the growth of Cyprus,
that might burn in his Lamps, which were in his Baths at Rome.
The Commentator on St. Augu/fin fays, that he faw feveral
Lamps at Paris, which would never be confumed : and at a Feaft
at Louvain, there was a Napkin thrown into the Fire, which was.
re{tored to the Owner clearer and brighter than if it had been
tinfed in Water |].
THe incombuffible Paper is made of this lanuginous Mineral,
viz. Asheftine-Stone, which will bear burning without being in-
jured. Whoever would be further informed about this wonderful:
incombuftible Stone, may perufe Dr. Bruckman, Profeflor at
Brunfwick, who has publith’d a natural Hiftory of the Asbeftos,
or incombuftible Paper ; and what is moft remarkable, has printed.
four Copies of his Book on ¢his Paper, which are depofited in the:
Library of Wolfembuttle. ‘The manner of making this extraor-
Sinenaeest is defcribed by Mr. Lloyd, in Phzlofoph. Tranfaétions,
. 166.
IN. B:
* Book xix. cap 1. + Philof: Tranfadt. } Dr. Lifter.
|, LudovicusVives, in his Scholia—de Civitate Dei. Pancirol. Hiftoria rerum deperdit.
O53
96
A NATURAL HISTORY
N. B. Tue Salamander is faid to live in the Fire, and has
power to extinguifh it: “ From which Conjundcture was taken the
“© Device of Great King Francis, the firft of the Name, (Father
“ of Arts and Sciences) Nutrifco @ Extinguo, 1 Feed and Ex-
uishovereyy bey.”
XXIX. THE Cameleon belongs to the Clafsof Quadrupedes, and is
a little Animal refembling a Lizard, but of a larger and longer Head:
Its Eyes ftand out of its Head above one half of their Globe,
which he turns fo obliquely, that he fees every thing behind
him: Nature perhaps has given it this Advantage, becaufe its
Legs (by the flownefs of its motion) are of no ufe to avoid his
Enemy, by running away. There is yet fomething more ex-
traordinary, in the motion of his Eyes, for when one of them
moves, the other has no motion at all; one looks upward, the
other downwards +.
Tue length of thefe Creatures does not exceed twelve Inches,
and they have a proportionable bignefs. The Skin is plaited and
very fine, tranfparent, jagged like a Saw, and thin; and mutt
be very compact and hard, fince, according to the Hiftorian f,
tis not penetrable by the Teeth of Serpents. It has four Feet,
and on each Foot three Claws; its Tail is long and flat, with
which, as well as with its Feet, it faftens itfelf to the Branches
of Trees: its Nofe long, and ends in an obtufe point: In other
refpects it is made like a Fifth; that is to fay, it has no Neck | :
Reckoned by Mofes, among the unclean—Numb. xi. 30.
THE Cameleon is {aid to transform itfelf into variety of Colours;
perhaps this change may arife from the different reflections of the
Rays of Light: Thus they may put on a brown or whitifh Ha-
bit, from Trees of that Colour, on which they fit. Ozhers ob-
ferve, that its Colour is changeable, according to the various Paf-
fions that agitate the Creature; e.g. When affected with Joy, ’tis
of an emerald Green, mixt with Orange, etch’d with little grey
and black Strokes: Anger gives it a livid and dufky Colour: Fear
makes it pale, and like faded yellow**. All thefe Colours com-
pofe fuch a pretty Medley of Shadow and Light, that Nature does
not
* Pedro Mexia and M. Francefto Sazfovino, the famous Italian.
+ A Journal of the Philofopb. Mathematical and Botanic Obferv. by L2=-s
Peville, A.D. 1725.
t Bhan. iv. 33. || Calmet. p. 351. ** Le Compte’s Memoirs; p- 502.
OF SERPENTS.
not afford a finer Variety of Shadowing, nor our fineft Pictures
more lively, fweet, and proportionable Drawing.
Fo rthe further Illuftration of this Subject, I thall add fome-
thing from the Philofophical T'ranfactions about a female Came-
leon, the Skin of which appear’d mixt of fevera] Colours, like a
Medley-cloth. The Colours difcernable are green, a fandy yel-
low: And indeed one may difcern, or at leaft fancy, fome mix-
ture of all, or moft Colours in the Skin, whereof fome are more
predominant, at different times: There are fome permanent black
Spots on the Head, and Ridge of the Back. But our modern
Naturalifts affure us, that its common Colour, when it is at reft,
and in the Shade, is a bluifh grey ; when ‘tis expofed to the
Sun, this grey changes into a darker grey, inclining to a dun
Colour: If ’tis put on a black Hat, it appears to be of a violet
Colour.
.... Upon Excitation or warming, fhe becomes fuddenly full
of little black Spots, equally difperfed on the fides, with {mall
black Streaks on the Eyelids; all which afterward do vanith.
The Skin is grain’d with globular Inequalities, like the Leather
call’d Shagreen, The groffeft Grain is about the Back and Head,
then on the Legs; on the Sides and Belly, fineft ; which, per-
haps, in feveral Poftures, may fhew feveral Colours; and when
this Animal is in full Vigour, may alfo have in fome fort, Ra-
tionem Speculi, and reflect the Colours of Bodies adjacent; which,
together with the mixture of Colours in the Skin, may have given
occafion to the old Tradition, of changing into all Colours *.
A CERTAIN curious Gentleman, made the following Ex-
periment, when he lived at Smyrna, in Afia-minor: He bought
fome Cameleons, to try how long they could be preferved alive
under Confinement ; he kept them in a large Cage, and allowed
them the Liberty to take the frefh Air, which they fuck’d in
with Pleafure, and made them brifker than ordinary. He never
faw them either eat or drink, but feem’d to live on the Fluid in
which we breathe.
Tue Antients were perfuaded that Cameleons fed upon the
Air, for which reafon one of the Fathers calls it a Huing Skin +;
but now it appears by Experience, that they feed upon different
Infects, as Palmer-worms, Locufts, Beetles, Flies, and alfo ae
O ol
* Lowthorp’s Abridg. yo). ii. p.$16. + Pelicula vivit. Tertull, de Pallio, cap. 3.
O77
A NATURALHISTORY
of Vegetables. Father Feuzllee*, in a Journey into Afa-minor,
opened one of thefe Animals, and found in its Belly Peach-Leaves,
which were not then digefted, N. B. Digeftion is very flow
in Cameleons, which is the reafon why they take fo little Nou~
rifhment.
Tue fame Father mentions a fmall Lizard, which he faw in.
Peru, that was not above an Inch thick, which he calls Chame=
leontides, becaufe he changed his Colour, like the Camelcons; _
being in a certain Situation, he faw it of a dun Colour; in ano-
ther, ’twas green. .... This little Creature, he fays, had the fame
Figure and Proportion as the Great Lizard; nam’d by the Sa-
niards, Iquanna; and Senembi, by Marcgravius; and he makes.
that Lizard a fourth kind of Cameleon, and to be added to the
two kinds of Bellonius, one of which is to be found in Arabia,
and the other in Egypt, and to that mention’d by Fader, Lynceus,
which may be feen in Mexzco.
Tuer Tongue is fomewhat peculiar, it being as long as their
Body, with which they catch Flies, and other Infe¢ts, which
fettle on their Tongues, to fuck the vifcous flimy Matter, adhe-
renttothem. The Cameleon puts out his Tongue to draw them:
upon it, and when ’tis full of thefe Infeéts, he pulls it in with
wonderful Agility. Others think, it enclofes its Prey with
the tip of its Tongue, which is made in a form proper for that
purpofe,
Tre Cameleon isan oviparous Animal. ‘Ff. Fonffonus fays,. it
has above a hundred Eggs, from Pzereskzus, who nurfed a Fe-.
male on purpofe to make Obfervations upon the Subje& +. Af-
ter all the Gentleman’s Care about ‘em at Smyrna, all of them
died within five Months; and having opened the Female, found:
thirty Eggs in her, faften’d one to another in the form of a.
Chain, bid. fupra.
Tue Atlas t calls the Cameleon, the Indian: Salamander || ;
that goes there by the Name of Geko, from the Noife it makes.
- after hiffing, and is thus defcrib’d, wz. ’tis about a Foot long and
fpotted; has large Eyes ftarting out, the Fail has feveral white
Rings. round it, and its Teeth fharp, and {trong enough to pene-
trate. an Armour of Steel: it has a flow Motion, but where it
faftens,
® Feuillee’s Fournal. Franckf.ic97. p. 3. + Fonftonus de Animalib, inter Qua-
arypedes, Pp. E41 } Africa. Kor Aymerica.
OF 49°F RAP EIN TS.
faftens, “tis not eafily difengaged. This Creaturé is fouhd in
Arabia, Egypt, Madagafcar, “fava, and other parts of India.
Bellonius {aw feveral of them among the Shrubs of Africa *: He
fays it frequents Cazro, and other Places, is found arnong Hedges
and Bufhes ; mutes like a Hawk; fwallows every thing whole. It
moves the Feet of each fide alternately, but runs up Trees very
fatt, and lays hold on the Boughs with its Tail. Leo and Sandys
fay, the Neck is inflexible, and it can’t turn without moving its
whole Body: the Back is crooked, the Skin is {potted with lit-
tle Tumours: the Tail long and flender, like that of a Rat, when
it fucks in the Air, its Belly fwells, whence fome think that the
Air is part of its Food. One Author fays, it fubfifts only upon
Air ; another fays, ’tis a vulgar Error.
’T 1s faid, that if a Serpent lurks near the Tree, where it fits,
it throws a Thread out of its Mouth, with a little fhining Drop
at the end, which falls upon the Serpent’s Head, and kills it +,
In America are Serpents, fome of whom are fo poifonous,
that if touch’d but with a little Stick, the Venom runs up the
Hand ; and fuch as are touch’d with the Blood of dead Serpents,
die a lingring Death: This is Tradition: I hall begin with the
firft of them, viz.
XXX. KUKURUKTI, a Serpent of Brafilin South-America,
which is under the torrid Zone, where their Winter begins in
March and ends in Augu/?; and is like our Summer. This Ser-
pent is of an afh Colour, and in its Scales refembles the Bocinga,
or Rattle-Snake, but is more grofs; on the Back, variegated with
yellow, and large black Spots. ’Tis reprefented as a very vene-
mous Animal, eight or nine Foot long{; and when prepared,
the Inhabitants feed upon it.
XXXI. Tue Jbiara is a Brafilian Adder, about a Foot and
half long; an Inch and half in thicknefs. Serpents of this kind
are very numerous in that Country, and nothing more poifonous
than their Wounds, tho’ not incurable, if proper Remedies be
applied in time.
Or7Z In
* Fonftonus de Quadrupedibus. + Atl. Afric. p. 495 50.
t 9 & interdum 12 pedes longus eft. Ray.
100
A NATURAL HISTORY
In Seafons of Danger, they fhelter themfelves in Cavities un-
der Ground, and feed upon Pifmires, which are very large in that
Country, and in fuch prodigious Quantities, that the the Portu-
guefe callthem, Kings of Bra/fil.
XXXII. In Chapa, in Old-Mexico, now call’d New-Spain,
is a noxious Animal call’d Teuthlacokauqui, or Fortrefs of the Ser-
pents, whofe Head is like an Adder, thick Belly, glittering Scales,
the Ridge of the Body black, with an Interfperfion of white
Croffes ; the Teeth poifonous, and the biting kills in twenty-four
hours, unlefs the wounded part be held in the Earth fo long,
till the Pain be over.
Ir has a frightful Afpe&; when it moves it makes a Noife
with its Tail, that founds an Alarm of Danger. The Ameri-
cans, who have the Art of taking it by the Tail, carry it home,
and by degrees make it tame: ’tis maintain’d at a cheap rate, for
it can fubfift a whole Year without any vifible Food.
FONSTONUS calls this Serpent the Bocininga, and deferibes it
from Marcgravius and Pifo. The former fays, ’tis four Foot and
three Fingers long, Belly {mooth, {mall Eyes, forked Tongue, rat-
tling Tail. The other obferves, the Spaniards call it Ca/cavel, and
Tangedor, becaufe its Tail emits the found of a Ball; in thicknefs,
asa Man’s Arm; in length, about five Foot; a cloven Tongue,
long and fharp Teeth; of a dark Colour, inclining to the
yellow *.
AccorDING to Nierembergius, this Serpent is called the
Queen of Serpents, which they {uppofe to be like the Viper, in its
Poifon, and Shape of the Head-+. By the Definitions.of feveral
Authors, this Serpent feems to be the Caudi/onant ; and the Dutch
in America call it, the Ratel-Stange, 7.e. Rattle-Snake.
Now we are in Mexico, excufe me in giving you two In-
ftances of monftrous Cruelty ; one in the Natives, the other in
the Spaniards.
Wuen the Mexicans were difpofed to do fignal Honour to
their Idols, they fent out Armies to bring in Prifoners for a Sa~-
crifice, whofe Flefh they did afterwards eat ; and Montezuma the
Emperor, commonly facrificed 20000 Men, one year with ano-
ther,
* Fonftonus, Articulus xvii. p. 23.
+ Hifforia Nature Maxime Peregrine, p. 268, —9.
OF SERPENTS.
ther, and no lefsthan 50000 fome years. The Priefts thought
it difhonourable to facrifice lefs than 40 or 50 Captives at a time
to one Jdo/. At acertain Feftival, they ript up the Breaft of a
manumitted Slave, pull’d out his Heart, which they offer’d to the
Sun, and then eat up his Body.
THEIR Priefts were bloody Men, a Brood of Vipers, and
had fuch an Afcendant over their Princes, that they made them
believe thezr Gods were angry, and not to be appeafed without
4000 or 5000 Men to facrifice ina day ; fo that, right or wrong,
they muft make War on their Neighbours, to procure thofe
Victims to keep their Priefts in Humour.
Tue next, is an Inftance of Spani/h Cruelty, in this Country,
that could have no Original but Hell, the Seat of the old Serpent.
It runs thus, wz. Barthol. de las Cafas Bithop of Chiapa, in a
Letter to the Emperor Charles V. gives this account of the Bar-
barity of the Spaniards towards the poor Inhabitants, Natives of
the Land.
.... “ FuerR Kings and Princes, fays the Bifhop, the Spa-
“‘ mards fcorch’d to death, or tore in pieces with Dogs: The
“< poor People they burnt in their Houfes, and dafh’d out the
“* Brains of their Children: Thofe that were fpared, they forced
““ to carry greater Burdens than they were able to bear, by which
“ thoufands of them were deftroy’d: Others who efcap’d, died of
‘© Famine in the Woods, after they had kill’d their own Wives
“© and Children, and eat them for hunger. In this one Province
“« they murder’d above two Millions of Men, not {paring thofe of
“< Quality, who had civilly entertain’d them. They tortured the
“* Natives with the moft hellifh Inventions, to make them difcover
“their Gold. Dvyego de Valefco, in particular, {pared none that
* fell into his hands, fo that ina Month’s time he murder’d ten
“‘ thoufand: He hang’d thirteen Noblemen.
«* Some they ftarved to death, by thrufting their Heads betwixt
*« Pieces of cloven Timber: Others they buried alive, leaving
“their Heads above Ground, at which they bowl’d with large
‘* Tron-Bullets: They alfo forced them to eat one another.
Befides other hellifh Cruelties too dreadful to be related *.”
N. B. This Barth. de las Cafas had been a Friar, and afterwards
made
* Acofta, Gage—The Civil and Mosal Hiltory of the Spani/h Weft-Indies, in
Silas Geogr. America,
IOL
ve
102
A NATURAL HISTORY
made Bifhop of Chiapa, wasa Man of more Piety and Juftice than
is commonly found among Friars. It was he, who procur’d the
Indians their Liberty from being Slaves to the Spaniards, which
they enjoy to this day, fo that they are paid for what they do,
about half a Crown a Week.
XXXII. Tuer Ditobaca is a Serpent of Chapa, near four
Foot long, and of a crimfon Colour, adorn’d with a pleafing
Diverfity of black and white Specks; wearing its Bones as a
Necklace, or the Ruff in Queen Elizabeth's Reign, who deftroy’d
the Invincible Armada, and made good old England.a Terror to
Spaniards.
XXXIV. Tue Iguanna is the Birth of Mexico, a Serpent
like the Pope’s Anathema, of a terrible Front, but harmlefs ; a
glittering Comb on the Head, with a Bag under the Chin; a
long Tail, and {harp Bones on its Back, ftanding up in the form
of a Saw.
T urs Iquannatick Serpent is of the amphibious kind, equally
fitted to live by Land or Water; a Privilege which no Son of
Adam can boaft of. It is of the oviparous Tribe, and a great
Breeder, laying about fifty Eggs at the Seafon as big as Acorns,
which are of a very good Tafte, and good Food when boiled,
and fo is the Serpent itfelf; but the Land-Jguanna is a more plea-
fant Food, and preferable to Spanz/b Ragous *.
XXXV. Tue Ibiboboca isa Serpent beautiful to the Eye, but
of a venemous Nature; ’tis about three Foot long. The Icon of
it in Gre/ham College is above three Yards +, white as Snow, de-
corated with Particles of various Colours, efpecially black and red.
The Wound it gives operates gradually, and if neglected, proves
fatal.
XXXVI. Tx & Guaku or Lyboya Serpent, is one of the largeft
of all the ferpentine Brood, fome of which being from eighteen
to thirty Foot long, call’d by the Portuguefe, Hobre de Hado, or
the Rocbuck Serpent, becaufe it can {wallow a whole Buck at once.
After
* Nierembergii Hiftoria Naturalis, p. 271.
t Carzon’s Catalogue of Rarities, p. 445.
OAR) Ss: EPROP TE NT, &
After fwallowing it down, it generally fallsafleep, and in that
Pofture is frequently taken, while digefting its Supper. My Au-
thor fays, he faw one of this kind, which was 30 Foot long, of
a greyifh Colour, but others incline more to the brown*, A
ravenous Animal, and fo voracious, that it leaps out of the
Woods to feize its Prey ; and, if difturb’d, will fight, or wreftle,
with Man or Beaft, ftanding upright upon the Butt-end of his
Tail.
XXXVI. Tue Fararaka Serpent, is another Brafilian, no
longer than a Man’s Arm to the Elbow ; it has {welling Veins
on its Head; the Skin is covered with red and black Spots; the
reft is of an Earth Colour: Its Wounds are dangerous, and attend-
ed with the ufual Symptoms. There are three Sorts of thefe vee
nemous Snakes befides this, wz. Ove fort is about ten Spans long,
with two terrible Tufks, or great Teeth, which they ftretch out
toa great length, and ftrike them into their Prey. The vene-
mous Liquid, which is very yellow, works with a Violence, that
&ills in a few Hours. The /2cond fort refembles the Spani/h Viper
in Colour and Form, and is equally dangerous, The third and.
worft fort very much refembles the /i7/?.
XXXVIII. Tue Bzobi, called Gabro Verde by the Portuguefe
in Brafil, i.e. the Green Serpent, becaufe its Colour is porraceous, ,
a fhining Green like the Leek ; it is between three and four Foot
long, and about the Thicknefs of a Man’s Thumb; a large
Mouth, and black Tongue, and has this good Property, that it
hurts nobody unlefs irritated; but when provoked,. no Poifon.
more dangerous. We read of a Soldier, who accidentally. tread=.
ing on this Serpent, was wounded by it in the Thigh, and died a
few Hours after, tho’ the Remedies that proved. fuccefsful on the.
like occafions, had been diligently applied -f-.
AXXIX. Tue Caninana Serpent, is another Inhabitant of |
Brafil, green on the back, and yellow on the Belly, about two
Foot long, and reckoned not to:be fo venemous, as the reft of
that mifchievous Tribe. It feeds upon Eggs and Birds, at laft be-
comes the common Entertainment of the American and African
Tables, .
* Nieuhoff. ia Atl. America. p. 263. +, Raii Synopfis, p. 328.
103
104
A NATURAL HISTORY
Tables *. We read of other green Serpents in the Indies, that
are indulged with little Cottages made of Straw, where they {pend
their folitary Hours, till the time of eating invites them out, then
they repair to the Houfe, where they fawn upon their Mafters,
and eat what is fet before them, and then retire to the Huts of
Indulgence.
XL. Tue Tetzawhcoatl, is another Produdtion of Bra/il, a
Serpent of about three Foot long, and flender Body, whofe Strokes
are peftilent: The Head is black, nether Part of the Tail red-
difh, and the Belly dafh’d with black Spots. The Cure is by Suc-
tion.
- Now we are travelling among the Inhabitants of Bra/fil, we
may be allowed to take notice of Prince Maurzce’s Rational Par-
rot, mentioned by Sir Wilam Temple and Mr. Locke, which the
former had from the Prince’s own Mouth. His Words were,
wees “ TuatT he had heard of fuch an o/d Parrot, when
<< he came to Bra/fil, and tho’ he believed nothing of it, and it
** was a good way off; yet he had fo much Curiofity as to fend
for it: that it wasa very great and a very old one; and when
“* it came firft into the Room, where the Prince was with a great _
« many Dutchmen about him, it faid prefently, What a Company
“© of White-men are here! They ask’d it, what he thought that
«© Man was, pointing at the Prince? it anfwered, Some General
‘© or other. The Prince asked it, Whencecome ye+? The Par-
‘< rot anfwered, From Marinnan. 'To whom do you belong,
“«< faid the Prince? it anfwered, Zo a Portuguefe Prince. The
«© Prince ask’d, What do you there? Parrot anfwered, J sook
‘ after the Chickens. The Prince laugh’d, and faid, You look
« after the Chickens! The Parrot anfwered, Yes, f; and I
¢ know well enough bow to do it, and made the Chuck four or five
*¢ times, that People ufe to make to Chickens, when they call
“Tithems.: cir
.»+» “I could not but tell thisodd Story, becaufe it is fo much
** out of the way, and from the firft hand, and what may pais for ~
“a good one; for I dare fay, this Prince at leaft believed himfelf
ec in
_ * Raitt Synopfis, p. 328.
+ D’ou venes vous? De Marinnan. A qui eftes vous? A un Portugais. Que
fais tu-la >? Je garde les poulles. Vous gardez les poulies? Ouy moy, & je {cai bien
faire. —Sér William Temple's Memoirs, azd Mr. Locke's Effay, Book Il. chap. 27.
OF SER PEN TS.
in all he told me, having ever paft for a very honeft and pious
‘© Man. I leave it to Naturalifts to reafon, and to other Men to
** believe as they pleafe upon it; however, it is not perhaps amifs
** to relieve or enliven a bufy Scene fometimes with fuch Digref-
‘< fions, whether to the purpofe or no.” So far Sir William Temple.
WoNDER not then, if you meet in this Hiftory with fome
romantick Sentiments entertained by learned Men concerning Ser-
pents, when two fuch illuftrious Pillars of the Commonwealth
of Letters, give way toa Relation that has fo much of the Marvel-
lous in it.
XLI. Tuese Hiftorians inform us of many more Serpents,
and fome of great bulk, that infeft thofe American Regions;
whofe Looks are ruddy, of blood-red Colour, that fhine in the
Night, like fo many glittering Stars.
A MODERN Author writes, that in America are fome Snakes
that were eight Foot long, and as red as Blood, which in the
Night look’d like Fire *,
Tue former black, and thefe fhining Serpents, remind me
of the Ob/dian Stones, that are very black and tranfparent; they
have their Names from one Odfdius, who firft found them in
LEthiopia.
THERE isa fort of natural Ob/dzan Glafs, which is rather to be
ranked among Stones than Metals; ’tis as paflive as the former,
enduring the Graving-Tool, is diaphanous and pellucid, receiving
Images, and, like artificial Glafs, tran{mitting all Forms and
Shapes.
Tuts is found in ¢hiopia, where the Sepulchres of the No-
bles are ufually made of it, and after this manner; viz. They
take a large Stone, and make it hollow, and in the Cavity include
the Corps, where it is not only preferved, but, as if entomb’d in
Glafs, is apparently vifible to Spectators, and fends forth no un-
grateful Scent.
Our of thefe Odfdian Stones, Looking-Glafies are wont to
be made, and are alfo found on the Coafts of Arabia. Thefe
fhining Stones were inferted into Rings, and in one of them was
cut the entire Image of Auguffus, who being much taken with
thefe
* Anton. Herrera’s Hiltory of America, Vol. If. in his Account of Dariex, p. 72-
105
106
A NATURAL HISTORY
thefe Stones of Glafs, caufed four Elephants to be made of them:
——See the Commentary upon Pancirollus, B. 1. of fet; and Pling,
B, xxxvi.c. 26.
XLII. BOIGUA CU, another venemous Produétion of Bra-
zil, thick in the middle, and declining towards the Extremities
of the Body; ’tis covered with large Scales on the Back, and
leffer ones on the Belly, which is common in all Serpents.
Tue whole is adorned with elegant Variegations. ..... The
Back and Sides fet off with black Spots, inclining to the round ;
about three Inches diftant from each other, and in the Centre a
round white Spot. Thefe beautiful Appearances, fays Fonftonus,
have a Grandeur in them more than rivals Imperial Majefty.
He faw feveral Serpents of this kind: On Auguft 7th, 1638,.
one that was eight Foot long. Another, Augu/? 13th, 1638,
above five Foot long, its Flefh fat, and very white; the Heart-
being taken out, lived about 15 Minutes. Ogfober 16th, 1638,
he faw another, that was near nine Foot long, and he was a Wit-
nefs to its {wallowing a She-Goat whole*. By the Defcription, .
this Serpent muft be the Lydoza,.fo famous for the Knack of De-
glutition of Animals,
XLIVW. Tue Brafilian Serpent; called the Ibiracoan, makes:
its Appearance in a Habit of various Colours, trimmed with red,
black and white Spots. Under this fine Drefs, is a poifonous-
Spring ; the Wound it gives, infallibly kills without immediate
Affiftance.
BeForR FE the Poifon reaches the Heart, the common Prattice
is, to fecure that Serpent, and boil the Flefh-of it with certain
Roots, and give it the Patient:in Wine, or anyother proper Liquid,
and it will.anfwer the Intention.
XLIV. Tue Tarciboya, and Kakaboya, are two Serpents much
of the fame Nature, and therefore I put them together : They are
occafional Inhabitants-of the Water and Land; in Colour black,
and about fix. Hands in Length. If they hurt any Creature, it is
only in Defence of. themfelves, and the Wound ts eafily cured by
Remedies
*® Fonftoni Hiftoria Naturalis, p. 25; 26.
O7).F gS *EvR /PaE NaS.
Remedies well known in thofe Countries. They are great De-
vourers of Birds.
Here the Learned Ray, from Pf, mentions ten other Ser-
pents, whofe particular Characters he confiders in his Defcription
of Fifhes; then refers his Reader to thofe defcribed by Yoan. de
Laet.*
XLV. Tue Bibera is a venemous Lizard of Brazi/. If you
afk, What are thefe Brafian Lizards? I an{wer, They are creep-
ing Serpents, of various Colours, and different Sizes : Some are the
length of a Finger, others many Feet; have fparkling Eyes.
There is only one fort of them that is venemous, among which
is this Bibera: they are like the others, but leffer, and are moft
mifchievous. They are of an afh Colour, inclining to the white ;
the Body and Limbs feem thick, but the Tail is fhort and broad.
Tue Wounds given by thefe Serpents, are full of a thin ftink~
ing Matter, attended with blue Swellings, and Pain in the Heart
and Bowels. WN. B. Great Things have been frequently done by
little Things.
XLVI. Tue Ambua, fo the Natives of Brazil call the Mi//e-
pedes and the Centzpedes Serpents. Thofe Reptiles of thoufand
Legs bend as they craul along, and are reckoned very poifonous.
Thofe Lizards of hundred Legs are commonly found in the
‘Woods, where they deftroy the Fruit, and alfo do mifchief both
to Men and Cattle.
In thefe Multzpedes, the Mechanifm of the Body is very cu-
rious; in their going, it is obfervable, that on each fide of their
Bodies, every Leg has its Motion, one regularly after another ;
fo that their Legs, being numerous, form a kind of Undulation,
and thereby communicate to the Body a fwifter Progreffion than
one could imagine, where fo many {hort Feet are to take fo many
fhort Steps, that follow one another, rolling on, like the Waves of
the Sea.
Tue Palmer-Worm is alfo called Millepes, becaufe of its many
Feet, which are as Briftles under its Body: It is about fix Inches
long, and moves with incredible Swiftnefs. The upper part of
the Body is cover’d with hard fwarthy Scales, and it has a fort of
R2 Claws
* Raii Synopfis Animal, p. 329. Leondini 1693.
107
108
A NATURAL HISTORY
Claws both in its Head and Tail, of rank Poifon, as the Hifto-
rian fays.
XLVIL Tue Febeya is another Brazilian, and a Serpent very
ravenous and deftrudctive: It has four Legs, anda long Tail like
a Crocodile; it lies flat and clofe on the Ground, artfully conceal-
ing itfelf, ’till the Prey comes within reach, and then darts out
a couple of fharp Fins from its Fore-quarters, and kills what-
ever it ftrikes.
XLVIII. THe Giraupiagara is an American Serpent, fo calld,
becaufe of its being a great Devourer of Eggs. ’Tis of a Negro-
Colour, but a yellow Breaft, and of great Length and Agility.
It glides (as if {wimming) on the tops of Trees, fafter than any
Man can run on the Ground.*. .
Ir lives upon Birds, whofe Nefts it conftantly plunders, ’Tis
obfervable, that the Cuckow feeds very much upon Eggs, which
accounts for the vulgar Notion, that it always has one or more
little Birds, as Menials to attend it, thefe being fome of thofe,
whofe Houfes it plundered. There is another Charge preferred
againft the Cuckow, wz. The Contempt it puts upon our Ve-
getables, by {pitting upon them; whereas in thofe Dobs of frothy
Dew, we find little Green Infeéts, that are Grafhoppers in the
Embryo.
XLIX. Tue Caminana is another Brazzlian Serpent, of a
great'length. The Body is all over:green,; and very beautiful in
profpect. This alfo runs up the Trees, not fo much becaufe of
the green Leaves, as in purfuit of Birds of all Colours; and hay-
ing devoured the Contents of the Neft, feizes the Dam, and
drinks her Blood.
Tue pleafing Appearance made by this Serpent in Green, puts
me in mind of the' Turks, who’ have fo great a Superftition for the
green Colour (becaufe it was confecrated to Mahomet) that they
forbid Chriftians to wear it on pain of Death; but the Perfans
(who are Mahometans as well as the Turks) allow it to every body,
and laugh at this Superftition; fo that when Sultan Amurath
fent an Am)aflador to Sha-Abbas of Perfiz, to complain that be
fuffer’é
* Mieuboff in Atlas, America
OUR WS: E R PEON F's. 109
fuffer’d that venerable Colour to be prophaned by Chriftians, he
{coffingly faid, that he would forbid the green Colour to be pro-
phaned by Chriftians, as foon as Amurath could hinder the greex
Meadows to be prophaned by his Turki/h Cattle*. The Eaftern
Turks abhor the 4/ue Colour, becaufe the ‘fews, they fay, threw
Indigo into ‘fordan to hinder the Baptifm of Chri/?, but the An-
gels brought Water from ‘fordan to baptize him, before it was
polluted. _4¢/as.
L. BOYTI APU A, isa Serpent fo called by the Brazilans
for its long Snout, though I don’t find it exceeds others in fmel-
ling, by the extenfion of its Nofe; it is of a long flender Body,
and feeds upon Frogs, amphibious Animals and Infeéts.
T u1s Serpent isin high Efteem among the Natives of Brazz/,
who practife the Art of Conjuration by it; and if any of them
have a barren Wife, and are defirous of Children, they lath this
Serpent over her Hips, pretending that fuch Exercife will make
her fruitful: And if this Device fhould take effeGt, muft not we
conclude the Offspring to be a Generation of Vipers ?
LI. Ty £ Gaytiepua is a large Snake, fmells rank like a Fox, and,
according to a learned Author, the Smell is intolerable +, as is that
of the Serpent Boyana, which is very long and flender, and of
black Colour; of which one of the Latzn Poets takes notice t.
Ir the loathfome Smell of thefe Creatures offend the Nofe, it
ferves asa friendly Alarm of Danger, to thofe who have the ufe
of a Nofe, that they may avoid a more terrible Stroke.
NoTuHING fo conftituted in Nature, but a fuperficial Obfer-
ver may con{true as a Blemifh to the Creation ; but to a more pe-
netrating Eye, thofe imaginary Blemifhes have their Convenience
and Ufe, and appear to be the Product of perfect Intelligence and
Wifdom.
LIL Tue Bom-Snake, is another Brazilian Reptile, call’d
Bom from the Noife it makes in its Motion, It is of a prodigious
large Size, but is clafs\d among the Innocent, that do no manner
of
* Holftein Amaffadors.—Berbert.— Atl. Afia.
+ Favor illius nullatenus—poffit tolerari. Raii Synophe.
$ Quod vulpis fuga, vipere cubile
Mallem: quam quod oles, olere, Baffa. Martial.
110
A NATURAL BIS TORY
of hurt to Perfons, wiz. that can endure a little Sound, arifing
from a Propagation of the Pulfe of the Air.
Aw innocent Serpent, no Contradiction. There is good among
the bad in the moral World.
Virtue. needs no Defence ;
The fureft Guard 1s Innocence :
None knew, till Guilt created Fear,
What Darts and poifon'd Arrows were.
Integrity undaunted goes
Thro’ Lybian Sands, and Scythian Suows.
‘In Paraguay,orLa Plata in America, is a famous white Bird,
‘which, though it has a very fmall Body, has a Voice like a Bel/,
and therefore the Natives.call it Guzrapo, that is, the Sounding-
Bird.
How many Animals of the fame kind in the moral Creation,
that wear gaudy Feathers and Plumes, whofe Sound, in the Af
femblies of Saints and Sinners, proves to be vox © preterea
nihil,
‘LIN. THe ‘Boicupecanga is a Serpent, fo called becaufe its
‘Back looks as if it were overgrown with Briers and Thorns, the
Ridge being fharp pointed, which makes the Beaft look as if he
were guarded’ by little Spears: This prickle-back’d Serpent is of
a monftrous Extenfion, .very frightful, and venemous, the very
fight of which.ftrikes Terror into Man and Beaft.
OLIV. Tue Cucurijuba is a Water-Snake of twenty-five or
thirty Foot long, and three Foot in Compafs, will fwallow a Hog
-er-a Stag at once; has Teeth like thofe of Dogs, but makes no
ufe of them as Inftruments of Maftication.
HARRIS.in the Atlas America, mentions one kill’d when
afleep, that was twelve Yards and a half long, and proportionably
big, in whofe Belly they found two wild Boars. This Creature
I take to be the Lydoya, (ora near Relative) a gigantick Serpent,
already defcribed, therefore I difmifs the Monfter, and proceed
ta the
LY.
5
OOF PSE RiP RON aS)
LV. MANIJIM A, another Water-Snake, of the fame Pro-
portion with the former, if not more bulky: The fight is terri-
ble ; the Monftrofity of Dimenfions is fufficient to render it fo;
but we are told, the Terror vanifhes in fome Degree upon a view
of the Skin, which js exquifitely painted, and the Brazilians not
only love to fee fo fpruce an Animal, but reckon it an Omen of
a long Life.
Ig?
Ir you afk, What a long Life is? I anfwer, ’Tis nothing but>
a lingering, flow Confumption : Life itfelf, what is it, but a meer
practical Tautology, a Repetition of the fame things over and’
over, and looks more.like a Penance impofed upon Mankind than -
Pleafure.
\
\
LVI. Tue Terpomongo is another Serpent, which in the Bra--
zilian Diale&, fignifies to fick clofe, fo clofe to whatever it touches, .
that it is not tobe parted. It is about the bignefs of a Cable--
Rope, which being faften’d to the Anchor, holds the Ship faft.
when it rides; .
Tis Property in the Serpent, may be an Hieroglyphick, or:
Symbol of true Friendfhip, which is a facred Mixture: My Friend
and I are as two Rivers joined in one, not to be feparated; we
ftick clofe and faft, traverfing the Wildernefs hand-in-hand: He.
who ftrikes one, wounds the other—No Schifm in true Friendfhip,
LVII. fACORE Lizard; fome of thefe Serpents are as big.
as Dogs, and refemble them in the Nofe; their Teeth large and*
long, and their Skin impenetrable. They do no harm to their
Neighbours, and therefore are generally allow’d to live. ‘They
make a loud Noife, by which their Haunts are difcovered, and-
their Liberty hazarded.
Tuey lay Eggs as large as thofe of a Goofe, of an elaftick:
Nature, fo hard, that when one is ftruck again{t another, they
ring like Iron: they frequent both Land and Water.
I-r’s obfervable here, that this Animal is obftreporous, and by
its Noife invites Danger ; whereas Silence would be his Security :
yea, its Eggs are as fo many roaring Bells. This may ferve for
a Document to the unruly Member: Yéerftes, in Homer, was
counted a Fool for babbling. A talkative Tongue is the Spring,
Ringleader, and Head of Faction in all places. *i
112
A NATURAL HISTORY
THE firft Rudiments in Pythagoras’s School, was Quinquennia,
Silence. 'The Scholars were not allow’d to talk for five Years,
that is, till they had learned the Art of Silence. Harpocrates was
the God of Silence, therefore painted with his Finger on his Lip,
and was worfhipped in Egypt with Jfs and Serapis.
ANGERONA was the Goddefs of Silence at Rome, and
painted with a Cloth about her Mouth. Nor is it lefs venerable
at Venice, where after they come out of the Senate-houfe, they
are as filent about what was faid and done, as if they had power
to forget all that was faid and done.
To the above-mention’d Serpents, the learned Mr. Ray dds
by way of Supplement, a Catalogue of fifteen Ea/ft-Indian Ser-
pents, which he had from the Learned Dr. Tancred Robinjon,
whole Defcriptions he had from the College at Leyden, which I
fhall annex to the foregoing *.
LVI. SERPENS Indicus Coronatus, an- Indian Serpent,
that makes its Appearance with a crowned Head, which it holds
up on high, as if proud of the Honour. This is an Emblem of
Pride, that Dropfy of the Mind; to yield to its Thirft, is to
Eralllag the Bait, that turned the Seraph into a Devil.
Tut Remedy ufed by the Indians for its Wounds, is what
they call the Serpent-Stone, which, according to Thevenot and
others, is an artificial Compofition, and not taken out of this
Serpent’s Head,
LIX. VIPERA Indica tricolor major, a Serpent remarkable
for a Body decorated. with three fine Colours, the Liveries of
Summer’s Pride, but living much under ground, the Glories of
its Attire are buried in the Earth, the World's material Mould.
LX. VIPERA Zelanica minor macults eleganter variegata,
a Serpent elegantly garnifhed with a Variety of charming Colours:
It is an Inhabitant of Cey/on, an Ifland in the Ea/f-Indies, called
by the Inhabitants Tenerz/ain, that is the Land of Delights, and
not without teafon.is this Ifland fo called, fince it is the moft
fruitful place in India, producing Gold, Silver, Precious Stones,
plenty of Rice, Ananas, 'Cocoas, beft Oranges, Lemons, Figs,
Pome-
* Ray’s Syxopfis Animaltum, p. 230.
OF SERPENTS.
Pomegranates, Ginger, Grapes, Pepper, Cardamum, Tobacco,
Nutmegs, Sugar; Mulberry, which yield much Silk ; Palm-trees,
which afford a Liquor for their conftant Drink, @c. But in
midft of thefe pleafing Varieties, they are haunted with various
forts of venemous Serpents; an Emblem of our prefent State,
which is a Compound of Pleafure and Pain.
The Gods will frown, wherever they do [mile ;
The Crocodile infefts the fertile Nile.
CEYLON is an Emblem of Man, to whom Plea/ure is asa
delightful Situation ; but in it dwells a Serpent, called Paix. Plea-
fure is the principal Intendment of Nature, and the great Object
of our Inclination, without which Life would be no Bleffing, but
a Mortification: Yea, ’tis Pleafure reconciles us to Pain ; for who
would fubmit to naufeous Medicines, and Tortures of the Surgeon’s
Knife, but for hope of the Pleafure of Eafe that fucceeds it.
No Serpent fo terrible as Pain, which is a ftrange domineer-
ing Perception, that keeps off Eafe when wanted, and deftroys
Eafe when we are in poflefiion of it.
LXI. Tu & Malcarabeta of Ceylon is a Serpent painted by Na-
ture ina Garb blue and white ; the laft of thefe two Colours fhew
beft by Candle-light. This leads us to the Excommunication by
Inch of Candle; that is, while a little Candle continues burning,
the Sinner is allow’d to come to Repentance; but after it burns
out, he remains excommunicated to all Intents and Purpofes.
LXII. Tue Ethetulla is a Ceylonick Serpent ; of a little flender
Body, and fharp-pointed Head. This is a kind of Ranger, de-
lights in Groves and Forefts, and may be known by a white and
green Vefture, in which it rambles among the Trees.
LX. MAL POLON isanother Serpent of that celebrated
Ifland, and of a vermilion Hue, imbroider’d with curious fine red
Spots, which fhine like fo many Stars.
LXIV. SERPENS Putorius, fo denominated, probably be-
caufe of its filthy Smell; by which it refembles the Putorius, a
Qs: . little
113
114
A NATURAL HISTORY
little Animal call’d Frtchet, that fmells ill, efpecially when en-
raged *. “fonflonus and Ge/ner make it tobe the Druinus, which
has been already defcrib’d.
LXV. Tue Anacandia, a Ceylonick Serpent, of monftrous
Corpulence, being in longitude about 25 Foot. D.Cleyerus, who
accounts for this gigantick Serpent, fays, he faw one of them
open’d, in whofe Belly was found a whole Stag, with all his in-
tegral Parts: In another they found a wild Goat ; and in a third,
a Porcupine arm’d with all its Darts and Prickles-. Serpents
of this nature have often fallen in our way, by which we may
imagine, that there is a vaft fpread of them over the Earth, Mr.
Ray from Cleyerus gives this account of the Montfter Tho’ the
Throat feems narrow, yet ’tis very extenfible, and the Faéts have
been confirm’d by Experience. When the Prey is catch’d, he
wraps himéelf about it, takes it by the Nofe, fucksthe Blood, and
foon reduces it to a Hodge-podge ; after he has broken the Bones
in pieces, that emits a Sound like a Gun, zdid. And in doing all
this he {pends two days..
LXVI. Tue Ghalghulawa is another Ceylonite, that goes by.
the Name of Serpens Indicus Saxatilis, defcrib’d by whitifh Lines,
that run acrofs one another: Whether the Poet refers to this, as
a Serpent affecting ftony and gravelly Situations, or to a certain
Fith, I determine not f..
LXVIl. Tue Manballa is another Indian, and from its Name
we may conclude it has fomething of the canine Nature, for it
flies with great Fury at Pafflengers, as fome Dogs ufually do. ’Tis
ofa light red (or bright bay, as we call it in Horfes) {potted
with white..
LXVII. Tue Nintipolonga, an Indian Serpent, whofe Skin
is checker’d with white and black Spots. Its Bite is accompanied
with mortiferous Sleep, therefore call’d Serpens hbypnoticus, Jopori-
serous
* A patorio, quia valde fetet. ;
+ De oiiavo genere merentur legi, que D. Cleyerus in Ephemer. German. Anno 12.
Obferv. 7. cul titulas, De Serpente magno Indie Oriextalis. Urobubalum deglutiente
Natrat, Raii Synopfis: Animglium,—p. 333) 334-
$ Lum viridis {quamis, parvo. faxatilis ore. Ovid.
OF SERPENTS.
Fereus Serpent, whofe Wounds are as an Opiate, or Medicines that
induce fleep, in which they die. 2. Why may not we fuppofe
this narcotick Poifon to be the fame with that, which Cleopatra
ufed in executing the Sentence that Heroine paft upon herfelf ?
LXIX. Tut Wepelon Serpent: Nothing is faid of it, but that
it refembles an Jzdzan Reed or Cane in form.
LXX. SERPENS Fluviatilis, feems to be the Water-Snaeke.
LXXI. SERPENS Spadiceus, a Serpent of light red Colour.
LXXII. Tuewn follows the Ceylontc Hotambeia. Dr. Ro-
binfon's Account of this Serpent, he had from the learned Her-
mannus’s Library.
N. B. Some of thefe Eaftern Serpents may coincide and agree
in Character with thofe in America, and other Regions, Where
there is fuch an infinite Variety of them, and delineated by fo
many different hands, ’tis difficult to give an exact Defcription of
every individual Serpent.
OTHER parts of the Ea/-Indies (Continent and Hlands) are
infefted with Serpents of various kinds and fizes, and he muft be
more than a Conjurer in Hiftory, that can charm them to make
their Appearance in one Place, and all in their proper Habiliments.
LXXIII. Tu £ hooded or Monk Serpent, found in an land near
Batavia (a Dutch Settlement in the Ea/f-Indies) which differs
from other Serpents in the uncouth Shape of its Head, that looks as
if it were cover’d with a large long Hood, like a Monk’s Cowl, or
the Widow’s Veil, therefore called the hooded Serpent, which is
a very dangerous Animal. Upon a view of its Prey, it imme-
diately advances towards it, with terrible Rage and Hifling.
WueEn the Szeur de la Café was hunting one day in the Woods
adjacent to Batavia, he faw one of thefe Serpents defcending from
a Tree, making a fearful Noife: It was about the thicknefs of a
Man’s Arm, and in length about eight Foot.
TuH1s venemous Creature was no fooner on the Ground, but
it made towards him with the greateft Fury ; but having a Gua
ready charg’d, he very happily thot it dead, and made off hattily
for fear of a fecond Attack *,
ON LEGUAT
' * Fr, Leguat’s Voyages, in Atl. for Afia.
IIs
116
A NATURAL HISTORY
LEGUAT, who gives this Account, and was in Batavia,
A. D. 1697, fays, he faw a Serpent in that Country about fifty
Foot long. NV. B. The Skin of one that was 20 Foot long, is
fhewn in Batavia, that {wallow’d an Infant. zdzd.
LXXIV. Tue Musk Serpent, fo term’d from its mufky or
{weet Scent. Thefe fweet-fcented Animals are Inhabitants of the
Eaft, between Calicut, the fecond Kingdom of Malabar, and
Candahor. In Ceylon are Mufk-Rats, where the Inhabitants eat
all Rats, but this kind.
Tuese Mufk-Rats are in all things fhaped like our Water-
Rats, only fomething larger; and in other refpeéts differ only in
that mufky Scent. A Gentleman, who kept one of them in a
wooden Cheft, obferved that two days before it died, *twas moft
odoriferous, and fcented the Room above what was common *.
In Mu/fcovy is a Water-Rat, which fmells like Mufk; and alfo a
great number of Musk-Cats, which look like young Bucks with-
out Horns, and therefore call’d Musk-Harts by the Chinefe, be-
caufe they refemble thofe Creatures. The Mufk is contain’d in
a little Excrefcence near the Navel --.
In America alfo, are found Woods abounding with Mufk-
Rats, that are as big as Rabbits, and have Burrows in the Ground.
Their Skins are black, Bellies white, and fmell exceeding ftrong
of Mufk t. The vegetable World alfo, entertains us with Mufk-
Pears, Mufk-Rofes, fingle and double, and the Ever-green, Gc.
N. B. Mufk-Rats frequent frefh Streams, and no other..
THe word Musk comes from the Arabic, Mofcha, a Perfume
of {trong Scent, only agreeable when moderated by the Mixture
of fome other Perfume, by which it becomes an agiceable artifi-
cial Odour..... Mufk is found in a little Swelling, like a pra-
ternatural Tumor, or Bag growing (about the Bignefs of a Hen’s
Egg) under the Belly of a wild Beaft, of the fame Name ; and
appears to be nothing elfe, but a kind of bilious Blood there
congeal’d. “
Tais Musk-Anmal is common in the Ea/f-Indies, as in the
Kingdoms of Boutan, Cochin-China, but the moft efteem’d are
thofe
* Lowrhorp’s Abridg. vol. ili. p. 594
~~ This Animal is defcribed by Ph:Gp ‘Martiaus in bis Chinefe Atlas.
t Hiffory of the Anrilies.
OF SERPENTS.
thofe of Tidet. When the Bladder under the Belly is taken out,
they feparate the congeal’d Blood, and dry it in the Sun.
Sir ‘fobn Chardin * fays, Musk is alfo produced in Perfia from
an Impoftume in the Body of a Beaft, that refembles a Goat, and
grows near the Navel, and is better than that of Chima. The
Scent of it, adds he, is fo ftrong, that it many times kills thofe
who hunt the Beaft, when they firft open the Bag, except they
ftop their Mouths and Nofes with Linnen: ’Tis eafily counter-
feited, and the beft way to try it, is by drawing a Thread, dipt
in the Juice of Garlick, thro’ the Bag with a Needle; and if the
Garlick lofes itsScent, the Mufk is good. A¢/. 397.
LXXV. Tue Boitzapo (that fhould have been mention’d be-
fore with its Rrazilian Relatives) is a large Serpent, about feven
Foot long, not quite fo thick asa Man’s Arm, of an olive Colour,
yellow Belly, in Body round, cloath’d with Scales that make an
elegant Appearance in a fort of triangular form. °Tis very ve
nemous, and its Wounds not curable without timely and proper
Applications.
THe Lacertan Snakes or Lizards come next under Confidera-
tion, and in the fame order as laid down by the learned Mr,
Ray+. Previousto that, I beg leave to obferve, that AZo/es places
two forts of Ezzards among unclean Creatures, the S¢e//o and La-
certa. Thefe Lizards differ vaftly in Bulk; fome a Finger’s
length ; in Arabia, fome of aCubit long; in the Indies, twenty-
four Feet in length. Several forts of Lzzards are mention’d in
Scripture, Lev. xi. 30. the two former are tranflated Stellio and
Lacerta; the third is tranflated a Mole, but Bochart maintains, it
is a Cameleon; the fourth is defcrib’d Prov. xxx. 28. and there,
Spider is render’d Stelfio, a Lizard. Mr. Ray begins with
LXXVI. Tu & Crocodile, the largeft of the Lacertan Race, a
Name which is fuppofed to come from a word {} that fignifies:
afraid of Saffron, becaufe this Creature abhors the Smell of Saffron,
as a learned Author obferves ||. It is an amphibious Beaft, noi-
fome and voracious, and one of the Wonders of Nature ; for,
from an Ege no bigger than that of a Goofe, proceeds an Animal.
which increafes to eight or ten Yards in length,
Fis
* His Travels. + Synopfis Animal. de Lacertis.
t Bpoxodsiros deads> Greecis timidus. || Calmet.
5
117
118
A NATURAL HISTORY
His Mouth is very wide, and is extended to the Ears; his
Snout and Eyes like thofe of Swine; the Teeth, which are in-
grail’d, are white, acute, ftrong and numerous ; the Feet arm’d
with fharp Claws; the Skin of the Belly is tender and may be
eafily penetrated, but the other parts of the Body are not pene-
trable by Swords and Arrows: It defies even the Wheels of a
loaded Cart, as well as Darts and Spears: It is of a yellow Co-
‘lour, fay fome; but Wormius in Mr. Ray’s Synopfis fays, that thofe
he had feen, were inclin’d to the grey or afh Colour.
THE Tail is near as long as the Body, upon which are Fins of
a Fifh, whereby he is capacitated to fwim. When he ftrikes
with his Claws, he tears with his Teeth, and grinds the very
Bones of what he kills into Powder. In Winter he lives much
without Food, but in Summer, his Suftenance is of the animal
kind, but is moft fond of human Flefh; and as he is an amphi-
bious Creature, plunders both Elements *.
THE Crocodile, when preft with Hunger, fwallows Stones,
which have been found worn round about, and the wafted parts
reduced to fuch minute Particles, as were fit to circulate with the
Mats of Blood +.
In Egypt the Crocodile is made the Objeét of religious Adora-
tion, but not by all the Nation; for the Inhabitants of Tentyra
(an Ifland form’d by the River Ni/us) were fo far from worthip-
ping that hateful Monfter, that they defpifed it, and often brought
them to the Roman Shews for Diverfion———This Averfion to
Crocodiles caufed a War between the Tentyrians and the other
Egyptians, who worthip’d thofe Creatures; of which People “04
feems to fpeak in the following Words: Let them curfe it that curfé
the day, who are ready to raifeup their Mourning, Job ii.8. Some
read it, toraife up the Leviathan, or toawake the Crocodile; of
which ‘fod gives an admirable Defcription, under the Name of
Leviathan, “fob xii. 1, 2, 3, 4.... So the Pflalmift, Thou breakeft
the Heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gaveft him to be Meat to the
People inhabiting the Wilderne/s.
W HEN I think of the fuperftitious Egyptians warring againit
the People of Tentyra, I can’t but obferve how the fame kind of
Spirit (the more the pity) too often reigns among Chriftians:
Thofe who have riugul’d Superftition, and endeavourd to pro-
6 pegaie
* Fonftonus, 141. + Néerembcrgins.
ORE OaE LR OPAE NV S
pagate Truth, have always had Vengeance and Wrath breath’d
out againit them, and have been expofed to the fame Fate as the
Tentyrians .
T u £ Habitations of Crocodiles are generally in great Rivers,
as the Ganges in Afia, one of the greateft Rivers in the World,
and which is accounted facred: Irs Water is clear and {weet,
weighs an Ounce in a Pint lighter than any other Water in the
Country: The Great Mogul’s Court drink none elfe with their
Wine. Thefe monftrous Animals are alfo found in the Nile and
Niger, two of the greateft Rivers in 4frica; and alfo in the great
Rivers of America, efpecially thofe of the Amazons, which abound.
with Crocodiles of vaft Bignefs, that very much annoy the Inha~-
bitants.
GEMELLT inthe Atlas, fays the Crocodile is hatch’d of an
Egg no bigger than that of a Turky, but grows to thirty Foot
long, the Back arm’d with impenetrable Scales, the Mouth wide
enough to fwallow an Heifer, and only moves the upper Jaw ;
it fees better by Water than Land, is cowardly, and generally
flies frony thofe that attack it, but daring enough otherwife ; for
which reafon the Egyptians made it the Hieroglyphick of Impu-
dence.—They have no Tongue, and eat nothing in all the autum-
nal Quarter *.
Tuis Animal has a great Dexterity in catching Wild-fowl,
which always abound in thofe great Rivers, and along Sea-fhores,.
as Ducks, Teals, and other Water-fowls: When in want of
Food, he goes into the Sea, where he lies in {uch a manner, that
the upper Part of his Back appears above the Water, and. looks
like a piece of Timber floating ; the wild Fowls miftrufting no-
thing, come fonear it, that he immediately devours them :. They
lurk among Reeds and Bufhes, on the Banks of Rivers and great
Poolsy from whence they fuddenly leap out, and eat up their
Prey, which fometimes happens to be People that come to. drink
or fetch Water.
Tue Inhabitants of Madagajcar, an African Iland, look. upen:
Crocodiles as Devils, and fwear by them: When Differences.
happen among them, they go to a River, where he that is to:
fwear throws himfelf into the Water, and conjures the Crocodiles
to be Arbitrators betwixt him and his Adverfary, and: to let him
ea live:
* For Africa, p. 47.
Lig
120
A NATURAL HISTORY
live if he fpeaks Truth, but if otherwife, to deftroy him *.
Among the Rarities in Grefham-College, London, is a Crocodile
about two Yards and a half long. Crocodiles are little known in
Europe, but common in the Indies.
Tue Land Crocodile, call’d Seincus, is varioufly defcribed. In
the Molucca Mflands they are accounted the fierceft of Montfters,
contrary to thofe of the Nie, according to fome Writers +. Har-
ris ¢ fays, that they are very harmlefs, and in fome places fo
tame, that Children play with them. Le Comte fays, what are called
fmall Crocodiles, are huge Lizards, found all over the Woods in
Siam, asalfo in Houfes and Fields |}.
Turis Land Crocodile is indeed an amphibious Animal, lives
partly in the Water and partly upon dry Ground: It has four
{lender Legs like a Lizard; its Snout is fharp, and its Tail fhort,
cover’'d with fmall Scales of a filver Colour. ’Tis hatch’d in
Egypt, near the Red-Sea, in Libya, and the Indies.
In Leviticus there’s mention made of a kind of Crocodz/e, in
the Hebrew called Choled, which the Septuagint tranflates
ugoxodeiAGP xepoaioc, a land Crocodile, which is a kind of Lizard,
that feeds upon the fweeteft Flowers it can find; this makes its
Intrails to be very much valued for their agreeable Smell. Be/-
lonius fays, it has four Feet, and a round knotty Tail, and is as
big as the Salamander.
THERE’s fcarce any way to manage him by Land, unlefs it be
by a Wile, as they do on the Bank of Nzlus, where little Huts
are erected, from whence the Watchmen, upon the Approach of
a Crocodile, {pring out with long Branches in their Hands, which
they, with great Dexterity, thruft into its Throat ; and not being
able to extricate itfelf, it falls down, upon which others of them
difcharge their Arrows at his Belly, which being.a tender part, he
is foon killed ; but in Water he is quickly noofed, becaufe for want
ofa Tongue, he can’t fafely open his wide Mouth, without being
fuffocated.
Tuis terreftrial Crocodile comes to us by way of Alexandria
and Venice, and is very ufeful in phyfical Pretcriptions.
LXXVII.
* Dellow ou Madagafcar, in Atl. Afr.
ifr
+ Barth. Leonardo de Argenfola’s Dilcovery of the Molacea and Philippine Iflands.
t Atlas Amer. 263.
|| Afemoirs, 2d Edit. p. 502.
OFe SE RAP EN ADS.
LXXVII. Tue Cordylus is a little noxious Reptile, fuppofed
by fome to be the Land Crocodile, becaufe upon firft fight it looks
like the N7lotic; but upon a ftricter view, the Fallacy appears.
‘The Back is cover’d with clofe compacted Scales, as a Houle with
Tiles, by which ’tis diftinguifh’d.
Irs Tail is rough, and like a Club, wherewith it ftrikes what-
ever it meets, therefore is called Caudiverbera, that is, one that
ftrikes with the Tail; a Tail prominent with War *.
LXXVIII. Tue Yapayaxis is a Lizard of New Spain, and of a
round form; and, Spanzard-like, is flow in Motion, and as loth
to change its Seat, as the Spamards their old Fafhions and Cu-
ftoms. This little Creeper is of the northern Tribe, being ge-
nerally found in the Mountains of cold Regions. It is obfervable,
that if its Head be compreft or f{queezed, it will throw out drops
of Blood with a Force that will carry them feveral Yards off--.
LXXIX. Tue Lacertus Viridis, or green Lizard, is found
in Italy, &c. lives in Meadows, and being of the harmlefs kind,
little is faid of it. There are many Lizards of other Colours, but
none fo beautiful as the green ones; tho’ very fimall, they are
pretty: Many make themfelves very familiar with them, and put
them in their Bofom {.
LXXX. Tue Tejuguacu is a Brazilian Lizard, of black Co-
lour, beautified with elegant white Spots, which renders it plea-
fing to the Kye: Its Tongue is long and cloven, {mooth and red.
’Tis a little Creature, and moves its little Body with great Cele-
rity; is patient in Want, and will for fix or feven Moons, live
without any kind of Suftenance, but Air, the Fluid in which we
all breathe.
LXXXI. Tue Taraguira is another Brazilian, of about a
Foot long, whofe Body is {mooth, and naturally guarded by an
Armour of a ftrong {quamatick Skin, and the Scales fituated in a
R kind
* Raii Synopfis Animalium Quadrupedumy fs 263-
+ See Dr. Plot’s Hiftory of Stafford/h. p. 252.
t Nat. Hiftory of Caroliza, 131, 2. N. B. Thele are found in Ireland.
E2t
122
A NATURAL HISTORY
kind of triangular form: It affects to refide in Underwoods, and:
Places inclofed, and near to Houfes,
LXXXII. Tue Ameiva Serpent, which is not much different
from the former, except it be in its forked Tail, which terminates
in two different Points; and in this Article feems to differ from
all other fanguineous Animals, among whom, fays the learned
Ray, I have never heard of any elfe furnifh’d with two Tails :.
This looks like fomething anomalous in Nature, and contrary to:
its common Rules, if the Defcription be true.
LXXXIII. Tue Taraquico Aycuraba is another venemous Off-
fpring of Brazil, a Species of the former, but differs from it in:
the Tail, which is fingle. This Animal is covered with little
rough triangulated Scales, the Extremity of which is decked with
brown Spots, and the Back with various.dufky Specks, ranged in
the form of Waves.
LXXXIV. THE <Americima is a little venemous Creeper,
whofe Body inclines to the fquare, about three Fingers long, in
Craffitude as the Quill of a Swan; bright to the Eye, and fmooth
to the Hand: The Back is made ftrong by whitifh Scales; the
Head, Shanks, and Sides with brown ones: The Tail is of a fine
azure Colour; its Claws are fetigerous, refembling the Briftles of
a Hog.
LXXXV..CARAPOBEBA is another minim Serpent of
America, and veneniferous, four or five Fingers long: The Body,
that in Colour refembles a Liver, is adorn’d with white Marks,
(and the Tail with white Lines). and is illuminated with glaring
Eyes, like Globes of Glafs.
LXXXVI. TEFUNH AN Aisa little Serpent, whofe Head:
is fharp-pointed: The Tail is about fix Fingers long, {mooth and:
round, and ends like a Needle; the Head is cover’d with rough
Scales, like Milford Oyfters ; the Back and Sides.are cloath’d with
a Skin, that is finely painted with green and brown Colours, and
when touched, feels foft like Velvet.
LXXXVII..
Ovry S ER P E-N,. TS.
LXXXVII. To thefe Americans 1 add the Stelko, which Mr.
Ray calls the /wift, or fpotted Lizard, whofe Body makes a glo-
rious Appearance, by glittering Spots, that when it makes its Pa-
rade, looks like a little moveable Firmament of Stars: This Ser-
pent is pretty common in Thrace, Sicily, and Syria *.
*T 1s faid of this Animal, that it cafts its Skin and eats it a-
gain ; and if fo, ‘tis a proper Emblem of defultory Creatures,
who leave their Vices for a time, and return to them afterwards +.
AMoNG Serpents is fuch Variety of charming Colours, and
Figures, that if it were not for the natural Antipathy that we
have for them, perhaps there is not one thing that the Eye could
take greater Delight in.
Brs1DEs the above Lacertick Serpents of Brazil, Rochefortt,
a French Author, mentions other Serpents different from thefe,
which come next under Confideration.
LXXXVIII. Tuer Les Anoles, a Serpent in bignefs like the
Gallick Lizards, but of a longer Head; of a yellow Skin, like a
Sun-burnt Roufilonite, or the Savage Man in the Ifle of Borneo ;
Ruffet Back, channel’d with green; of an afhy or cineraceous
Colour; a boifterous noify Animal. It’s generally in motion by
Day, and by Night, lodges in hollow places, where it joins with
the Brotherhood, in difturbing the Neighbours with hideous
Creakings: by the loudnefs of its Noife, it fhould feem that it had
but an empty Noddle. d
LXXXIX. LES ROQUET, a Serpent of a ruddy Colour,
intermix’d with black and yellow Points: of fparkling Eyes, and
majeftick Mien, walking in a ftately manner with Head erect ;
and {kipping about like a Bird, or a French Beau, who was faid
to make a Soleci/m with his Hand, when he made a falfe Gefture
on the Stage.
XC. Tue Maboujas, a word that fignifies a Devil in the Jz-
dian Language, and given to this Serpent, becaufe in its Nature
it is moft malignant and mifchievous: It lives in fenny Ground,
R 2 and
* Ray, p. 265. +Grew’s Cofimologia Sacra.
t Hiftory of the Antilles-Iflands.
123
124
A NATURAL HISTORY
and fhaded Valleys, dreadful in Appearance, and more fo in its
Executions.
Tuis cruel Serpent isan Emblem of the old Setpent, that
great fiery Dragon, that in a few Hours reduced ‘fob, a wealthy
Prince, into the loweft Ebb of Poverty, converted his Palace in-
to a Dunghill, and his Body into an Hofpital of Difeafes; and if
permitted, he would immediately turn the Earth into a Scene of
Blood and Deftruétion ; therefore hz is called arora, the Deftroyer,
Rev. ix. 11. the Murderer, and Shedder of Blood. N. B. The
tutelar Deity of the Cz/ars was Apollo, that is, the—Deftroyer.
The like kind of bloody Deity has prefided in the Temples of Ty-
ranny ever fince.
XCI. THE Gobe Moujes, fo denominated by the French, from:
its gobbling all kinds of Flies, which it conftantly hunts, and fwal-
lows in a voracious manner. It commonly frequents Houfes
where it fuffers no little Infects to live, no not upon Garments:
It is of the ftellionick form, and the leaft of all the Quadrupeds-
in thofe Antilles, which our Engli/h call, the Leeward-Lflands.
May not this Animal ferve to reprefent thofe gobbling Sots,
who bruth off the Flies of Melancholy, and drown them in the
inchanted Cup? Thus likewife the Sons of Mammon hunt for
golden Flies, as Entertainments moft delicious.
XCIl. BROCHET DE TORRE, or the Land-Pike, isa
Serpent of about fifteen Inches long, fo termed from its Likenefs
in Figure and Skin to that Fith. Inftead of Fins, it has four
Feet, too weak to fupport the Body, therefore crawls on its
Belly, after an odd unufual manner, winding its Body about like
a Pike newly taken out of the Water; which kind of Motion be-
ing ftrange, ftrikes Terror into Speétators. etre denies it to
have the perfect Shape, Head and Skin of the common Pike,
and treats Szewr Rochefort with fome Roughnels, according to
Mr. Ray.
In the Night, thefe Serpents are found under the Rocks, where
they make a frightful Noife, more hideous than the croaking of
Frogs and Toads. In Antigua is a Fifh called Cane, like our Pike
in figure, feven or eight Foot long, and big in proportion : It
preys like the Shark, and efpecially on human Flefh; and a
lea
O-PS: Ry P ENTS,
leaft Bite of its Teeth proves mortal Poifon, without immediate
Application of fome fovereign Antidote *.
XCHI. Tue laft he mentions, is a “ttle Serpent, about feven
Fingers in length, and terrible to the Eye. The Skin is embroi-
der’d with black Scales, that look fmooth and fleek as if it were
a Surface of Oil: It is furnifh’d with very fharp Teeth, {mall
Eyes, but fo weak that they can’t long face the Light, no more
than a Frenchman can look Truth in the face, or a Spaniard the
Field of Battle.
W HEN this little venemous Animal apprehends any Danger;
it immediately digs into the Earth, with its five crooked and
ftrong Claws, that foon penetrate the Ground: ’tis guilty not only
of Evils among Beafts, but of great Devaftations 1 in Orchards and
Gardens +.
I Have wondered, fays a learned Author, to fée with what
great Quicknefs, ‘Art, and Strength, many Velpa, Ichneumons, .
eae Bees and Beetles,—perforate the Earth, yea, even Wood it-
felf; but.the moft remarkable in this way, is the Mole-Cricket t..
Swine, who dig in the Earth for their Food, have all parts of ‘hei:
Head adapted fae that Service, but rather more remarkable in the
Mole, whofe Neck, Eyes, Nofe and Fars are all’ fitted in the.
niceft manner, to its fubterraneous way of Life.
XCIV. Tue Ground Rattle-Snake, fo called, only becaute it
refembles the real Rattle-Snake in Colour, but is fomewhat darker:
It never grows above twelve or fixteen Inches long’; ’tis reekon’d
among the worft of Snakes, and of a hardy Nature, becaufe it.
keeps out of its Winter-Quarters the longeft of any.. N B. Thzs
Serpent and fome of the following are taken out of the natural Hi-
ftory of Carolina ||, a part of America belonging to England. The
Natives of that Country were of a larger Size than Hwropeans,
and accounted fo faithful in their Promifes, and fo juft in their
Dealings, that they had no Words to exprefs Daj/honefly, Fraud,
or Cheating, —What contributed chiefly to their honeft: Simpli-
city, and plain Method of living, was their Contempt of Riches ;;
were content with plain Food and Raiment, without being anxi-
oufly follicitous for to-morrow.
DON
* Hiffory of the Antilles. + Ray. t Derbam Phyf! Theol.
| In the new Collec?iaz of Voyageo, ee printed 171.”
126
126
A NATURAL HIS TORY
XCV. Tue Horn-Snake, very venemous, hiffes exa€tly like a
Goofe, upon any body’s Approach. Serpents of this Clafs ftrike
at the Enemy with their Tail, which is arm’d at the end with a
horny Subftance, like a Cock-Spur, that kills whatever is wounded
with it. “Tis faid, that in Virginia, they only {hoot their Tongues,
and fhake them at the Enemy *.
XCVI. Tue Aydrus, Natrix, or Water-Snake, of thefe are
various forts, and all in fome degree amphibious. When the
Coluber Aquaticus wounds any, ’tis attended with a moft difagree-
able Odour, and fo ftrong, that it forbids a near Approach to
the unhappy Sufferer, who immediately falls into a Tremor and
Diftra@tion, and foon expires (the third day, fays an) without
timely Relief +.
Its common Refidence is in {hallow Waters, and when they
are dried up, it goes upon dry Ground, where its Wound is
more dangerous than in Water: But more of this elfewhere.
XCVII. In that Country they have what they call Swamp-
Snakes; three forts of which are near a-kin to the Water-Snakes,
and may be rank’d among them. The Belly of the firft is of the
carnation Colour, the Back is dark: the next, which is of a brown
Colour, always abides in the Marfhes: the third is of a motley
Colour, and very poifonous,
Tuety dwell on the fides of Swamps, 7. e. Bogs, Marthes,
and Ponds, have a prodigious large Mouth, and they arrive to
the thicknefs of the Calf of a Man’s Leg. Among thefe I place
the black Lruncheon-Snakes, that live on the Banks of Rivers,
which, when difturbed, fhoot into the Water, like an Arrow
out of a\Bow. I fancy the Name is borrow’d from a certain
Weapon call’d Truncheon, which we call Battoon, or Tipftaff,
of a cylindrical form, ufed by principal Officers of State, Gene-
rals, and fometimes by Conftables, when they go upon fecret
Expeditions.
XCVIII. Tue Red-belly-Snake, this is fo called from its ruddy
Colour, which inclines to an Orange-red. Of thefe are two forts;
one
3
*® Lowthorp. vol. iis p. 599. t & jax. lib. iv. cap. $7. sceffio Gylki—
OFC SlE RAPE 'N AIVS.
one, like bel the Innocent ; the other, like Cain the Cruel:
An Emblem of the World, humane, angelic Animal, and Vege-
gable, in which is a Mixture of Good and Evil.
XCIX: Tue Red-back-Snake, fo named from that Colour ;
a long, flender Snake, but not very common. A certain Surveyor
-of Lands in Carolina happen’d to ftep over one of thefe, which
he did not fee till/his Servant {py’d it: "The Surveyor inquired of
the Indian that was along with»him,-Whether it was a very ve-
_nemous Serpent? Who anfwer’d, That if he had been wounded by
zt, even the Indians them/élves, tho’ expert in the Art of curing fer-
pentine Wounds, could not have faved his Life *.
Rep, which is one of the primary Colours, proceeding from
the leaft refrangible Rays of Light, is a lively Emblem of Fire,
or the fiery Venom in this Serpent, whofe principal Quality is
to draw Blood.
C. Tue Scorpion-Lizard; ‘tis commonly called fo, but is no
more like it than a Hedge-Hog: It is indeed of the Lizard Co-
lour, but much larger: Its Back of a dark copper Colour; the
Belly, in Orange; quick in its Motion on the Ground, and very
nimble in running up Trees; has feveral Rows of Teeth, and is
reckoned to be of a very poifonous Nature.
CI. Tue Long Black-Snake, is a land Animal, and very com-
mon. J have, fays my Author, Aid feveral of them, full fix
Foot in length. ts Bite, tho’ painful in its Confequences, 1s not
deem’d commonly mortal: the wounded Part fwells, and turns
to arunning Ulcer. No living Creature more nimble in Motion,
or a greater Enemy to Mice, for it leaves not one of that Vermin
alive, wherever it comes. ‘This Serpent kills the Rattle-Snake,
by twifting its Head about the Neck of that Snake, and whipping
her to death with its Tail.
Tis Serpent very much haunts Dairy-houfes in thofe Coun-
tries, and makes very free with unguarded Milk-Pans, and Cream-
Pots: It delights to be among Hens, whofe Eggs it does not fuck,,
but fwallows them whole, as all Snakes do their Suftenance. It
wili often {wallow the Ege under a fitting Hen, and then lie in.
the Neft in the form of a Ring.
* Natural Hiffory of Carolina.
5 ALLOW:
127
128
A NATURAL HISTORY
Axttow here a few Remarks upon the Nature of Milk and
- Eggs,
©
Iw all kinds of Vegetables is an oily Subftance, which isa Fluid
that Animals take in with their Food, and no vegetable Food is
nutrimental, without fome Proportion of this Oil; even Grafs,
_efpecially in its Seed, abounds therewith, which being thoroughly
mixt with the Seva, it turns mi/ky in the Stomach: Which dif-
fers from the Chy/e, only as having been more concoéted, and
containing a large degree of Salt} which renders it convertible in-
‘to Curd.
MILK therefore is an ot/y vegetable Matter, circulated firtt
in Plants, then in Animals, and capable of being reduced into a
cafeous and watry Subftance, (or Cheefe and Whey, if you pleafe.)
If Mzlk finds no opportunity of pafling off in its own natural
form, it turns to Fat, or-goes away by Urine and Sweat, which
commonly is the cafe in Men, for they generate Milk as well as
Women, &c.
Aw Egg is ‘from a certain animal Liquid, which-by repeated
Circulations in the Body, arrives at a perfeét animal State; this
Fluid comes ‘from the oviparous Clafs, which is the White where-
in the Yolk appears to {wim. The White and Yolk of Eggs are
neither alkaline nor acid,
Tur White diflolves by a gentle Heat, till it totally liquifies,
(thus the Hen’s Heat gradually diffolves the White of a prolific
Egg into Nourifhment for the Chicken) but if you expofe the White
to the Heat of boiling Water, it will immediately harden, into.
vifcous, dry Mafs.
Tue White of an Egg is a furprizing Menftruum, for if it
be firft boiled hard in the Shell, and afterwards fufpended in the
Air by a Thread, it will refolve and drop down into an infipid
Liquor; which is that heterogeneous Menftruum fo much ufed
‘by Paracelfus, and will make a thorough Solution of Myrrh, which
is more than Water, Oils, or Fire itfelf can effect *. N. B. The
‘White of an Egg, by a ftrong Dittillation, will afford an alkaline
Spirit, and will putrify by Digeftion ; and a fingle Grain of this
putrify’d Subftance taken, will, like Poifon, prefently caufe a
Naufea, Vomit, Diarrhoea, Fever.... as Bellinz tells us he has
tried. And the learned Boerhaave himfelf, had feen thofe ter-
tible
“® Boerhaave’s Frecefs, p.
OOF iS°-E R'-PEN?TS:
-rible Effects of it, which however are immediately ftopt by drink-
ing any acid Liquor, as Vinegar, Juice of Lemons. From Milk
I proceed to give an account of an odd Cuftom about Cheefe in
Antiquity, vz. Among the Romans, one of their Taberne was
called Ca/earia, a Cafeo, 7.e. from Cheefe ; not becaufe Cheefe
was made or fold in it, but becaufe it was wont to be {moaked.
there: It being a Cuftom among the old Romans and other Ita-
lians, to make a great Smoke with Reeds and green Wood, on
purpofe to dry and colour their Cheefe ; hence the Poet Martial.
Non quemcunque focum, nec fumum cafeus omnem,
Sed velabrenfem, qui bibit ible fapit.
z.e. That Cheefe only is pleafant and grateful, which does not
fuck in every Fume, but which is fmoak’d only, velabro, in Tents
or Booths.
Cll. THe King’s-Snake, is the longeft of all others ; but not
common. It is faid to be terrible to other Serpents, though not
very venemous and grofs: the Indians, Men and Women, in Ca-
rolina, make Girdles and Safhes of their Skins, as Signs of Con-
queft, and wear them as Trophies of Honour.
TuHIs puts me in mind of Hippocrates, the Prince of Phyfi-
cians, who tells us that in the Faftern Parts of Europe, there is
a Scythian People, called Sauromatea, bordering on the Palus
Meotis, where the Women ride on Horfe-back, draw the Bow,
throw the Javelin as they ride, and fight in their Battles, fo long
as they remain Virgins; and were not allow’d to marry, 77// they
had killed three Enemies in the Wars*. Of my Author ’tis faid,
He neither knew how to deceive, nor be decezved +.
N. B. TueEseE were the Women called Amazons, defcended
from the Scythians, whofe Women were as warlike as the Men,
and joined with them in their Wars.
CHI. Tue Corn-Snake, is moft like the Raftl-Snake of all
others in Colour, but the Chequers are not fo regular; neither
S has
* Hippocrates upon Air, Water, and Situation , upon Epidemical Difeafes, &c.
tranflated into Exgli/>, by the learned Dr. Cliftoz.
+ Of Hippocrates ’tis faid, Qui tam fallere quam falli nefcit.
Macrobii Opera, p. 27.
129
130
A NATURAL HISTORY
has itany Rattles. They are frequently found in Corn-fields, from
whence, I prefume, they have their Appellation. In their Qua-
lities they refemble the Green-Snakes, that are innocent by Na-
ture, and in form admirably pretty, if 1 may be allow’d by the
Ladies, to call a Serpent fo.
CIV. Tue Blowing-Serpent, which is a Species of the Viper,
but larger than the Ewropean, is fo called, becaufe it feems to
blow, to fpread its Head, and {well very much, before it bites ;
which Bite is very poifonous, and feems to receive fome additional
Malignity from the Enlargement of its Head beyond the common
Proportion.
CV. Tue Brimftone-Snake, fo denominated from the Simi-
litude of Colour: They might as well call it, the Gla/s-Snake,
for if any Credit be given to the Hiftorian, ’tis as brittle as a
Glafs-Tube, or a Tobacco-Pipe, fo that upon the touch of a
Twig, it immediately breaks into feveral Pieces, which fome fay,
and nobody believes, are capable of Re-union.
Its component Parts may be weak and frail, but it is queftion-
able, whether fo brittle as reprefented: ’Tis true indeed there are
hard Bodies, that would not be affected with a Twig, yet are
very brittle. Thus Jroz, which is one of the hardeft Metals and
yet moft brittle, and by fufing, it becomes harder and more brit-
tle. Now this great Brittlenefs of Iron, arifes from the great
quantity of Sulphur-Brimftone intermixed with it. The abun-
dance of Su/phur in Iron, is apparent from the Sparks it emits
from under the Smith’s Hammer; thofe fiery Sparks being only
the Sulphur of the heated Iron, nothing of which is feen in any
other Metal *. N.B. Roll-Brimftone fold in the Shops comes
from the native Sulphur, which He/mont always preferred to
that purified.
CVI. Tut Yellow-Snake is in length about feven or eight
Foot; the Neck is fmall, rather lefs than its Body, which grows
bigger, till it be as big as one’s Wrift, and continues fo large to
the nus; from whence it diminifhes by degrees to the Tail. Its
Head (which is not very large) is of a dark Colour, and {fo are
the
* Boerhaave’s Method of Chemiftry.
OF SERPENTS.
the Scales all over the Body, with fome yellow Streaks here and
there. The Belly is all yellow, like Marygold, whofe Flowers
are cordial. ,
Tuese Serpents are for the moft part to be found in the
woody Mountains of America, coil’d up in the Paths, as Ropes
in a Ship: they are not hurtful, unlefs irritated; they feed on
Birds, Rats, &c. which they {wallow whole, and therefore Na-
ture has given them fuch a folded, rugous, inward Tunicle of the
Stomach, that it may extend, and receive things of large Dimen-
fions. Many of them have been killed with thirteen or fourteen
Rats in their Bellies *.
Ir has been obferved, that the Heart of this Serpent was beat-
ing an Hour after the Head was cut off, and that it would turn
and twift its Body ftrangely in its Diffeétion, for a long time after
the Bowels were out: The Lungs were very membranaceous, be-
ing nothing but Blood-Vefiels and Air-Bladders. Soa very learned
Author. zbed.
CVII. Tur Chicken-Snake, fo called becaufe of its Executions
in the Poultry-yard, where it devours all Eggs, and leffer Birds
that come in its way. ‘Thefe Serpents are of a footy Colour, and
will very readily roll themfelves round a fmooth-bark’d Pine-tree,
eighteen or twenty Foot high, where there is no manner of hold,
and there fun themfelves, and fleep all the pleafurable part of the
Day, referving the hours of Darknefs for rambling +. There is
no great matter of Poifon in them. Here the Hiftorian mentions
the EHe/-Snake, improperly focalled, I think, becaufe it is nothing
but a Leach, that only fucks, and can’t fting nor bite, fo as to do
any Damage.
CVI. Tue Veétis, whofe Head, ftrictly {peaking, is neither
round, flat, nor pointed, but looks like a Swelling on both fides,
one ftretching tranfverfly, like a Bar that guards a Door, or, if
you pleafe, a Bettee, an Engine to break open Doors. Though
this Senfe be not intended here, yet ’tis true, that Serpents do
make forcible Entries, but it is always with Teeth and Tail, by
which they often throw down the whole Fabrick, and drive out
the Inhabitant.
S2 CIX.
* Sir Hans Sloan's Voyages to Madcira, Barbad. vol. ii. Lond. 1725.
{+ Natural Hiftory of Carolina, p. 134-
131
132
A NATURAL HISTORY
CIX. THe Tzicatlnan Serpent, called the Mother of Ants,
becaufe it lodges in their Apartments, and other warm Situations.
We read of Ants in the Ea/t-Indies that build their Houfes above
Ground, and with the fief Clay, of which the People make
their Idols ; their little Houfes are like ftrong Butts, hollow with-
in, where they dwell, and breed in Nefts like Honey-combs.
Tue Butts prefent to my view the Bow and Arrows in the
Hands of the Parthians, who were efteemed the beft Archers in the
world, and very defervedly, having the Art of fhooting backwards,
and making their Retreat more terrible than their Charge: Whence
that of Seneca*, The Parthians Flight does moft affright. The
manner of their Fight is defcrib’d by the Poet, who fays, They
were better Soldiers when they run away, and fought beft when fur-
theft off, trufting moft to the Bow +.
M. CRASSUS, in his Expedition againft them, being told
by an Affrologer it would be unprofperous, becaufe of fome ill
Afpect in Scorpio: Hufh Man, quoth he, I fear not Scorpio,
but Sagittarius—But to return to the Motherly Serpent, which
is about a Foot and a half long, the Body flender, adorn’d with
red and white Streaks. Another Author fays, tis of a red Colour,
diftinguifh’d by black Lines, intermix’d with white Spots: The
Indians play with this Serpent (as Ladies with their Lap-dogs)
and for Diverfion, wear this little innocent and pretty Animal (as
a Necklace of Pearls) about their Necks f.
CX. Tue Macacoatl, or Anguis Cervinus, fo called from its
horned Head, which refembles that of a Deer, as thick asa Man’s
Thigh, in length about twenty Foot, f{prinkled with dufky Spots
inclining to the black and yellow.—This feems to be a Member
of the gigantick Family, already defcribed. Jdzd. 273. There-
fore I difmifs it, and proceed to the
CXI. AQUASEN Serpent, which feems to be the Birth of the
Philappines, and very venemous: Its Wound proves fatal in a few
Minutes, which ts preceded by the Putrefaction of the Flefh, next
to
* Terga converfi metuenda Parthi.
+ Pugna levis, bellumgue fugax, turmzeque fugaces,
Et melior céfi:fle loco quam pellere miles. Lucan.
t Foam, Exfeb, Nieremiergii Hiftoria Nature, p.272,—3.
OF SERPENTS.
to the affected part. It is about two Spans long, of a brown
Colour, and a large Head *.
CXiI. Tue Serpent Ofws is one of the Plagues of America,
and very poifonous, there being but few hours diftance between
the Wound it gives and Death. It isabout an Inch thick, and
three Foot long, a little Head and whitifh Belly, and may be far~
ther diftinguifh’d from others, by white and black Spots, and
three red Lines running acrofs; flow in Motion, and fond of
Shade; found in Cuba, a famous Ifland, where the antient Inha-
bitants went naked, tho’ they might have been cloath’d in Gold.
The Hiftorian {peaking of Spanifb Cruelty, obferves, that a cer-
tain Indian Prince having fled to Cuba for Shelter, was taken by
the Spaniards, and condemned by them to be burnt alive. When
they were tying him to the Stake, a Prie/? told him if he would
embrace the Spani/b Religion, he fhould go to Heaven ; but if not,
he muft burn for ever in Hell. Upon this, the poor diftrefied
Prince afk’d him, if there were any Spaniards in Heaven, and
the Prieft anfwering, Yes; Hathuey the Prince replied, vzz.
THAT if it be fo, Pll rather go to the Devils in Hell, than
go with the Spaniards to Heaven ; for their Cruelty is fuch, that
none can be more miferable than where they are. N.B. This ac-
count is given by one of their own Bithops +.
CXIIl. Tuer Dopon is reckoned to be a moft dangerous Ser-
pent; ‘tis about an Inch round, and four or five Foot long. The
vulgar Opinion is, that the whole Body is all over tinged with
Poifon, the Tail excepted, Its: Head is very large, and of an
octangular form, fo far as the Eyes, from which it grows lefs
and lefs to the Mouth, which is oblong and flat, arm’d with fix
Teeth in the upper Jaws, and fix in the lower, befides leffer ones:
The Tongue is flender, and of a black Colour.
Irs Wounds are terrible, allowing the Patient only about
twenty-four hours to live. No fooner is the Wound given, but
all parts of the Body begin to {well, and foon extend beyond
their due Proportion ; that they are foon difabled from perform-
ing their Operations f.
Tuu s
* Nafcitur in Philippicis. ibid. p.273. Nierembergius. i
+ Barthol. de las Cafas, Bifhop of Chiapa. Hilt. of Antilles. .
{ Remedia eft Alexiterinm gangagaufen, Nierembergii Hiftoriay cap. xiii. p. 274.
B33
£34
A NATURAL HISTORY
Tuvs Pride, the malignant Tumour of the Mind, was the
fatal Wound, by which the Angelic Serpent, the firft in Dignity
among created Beings, was transformed into a Devil. Sin, a Poi-
fon fo ftrong, that by the firft tafte of it, the whole human
Nature was infeéted. Adam and Eve tafted the forbidden Fruit,
and lo! we muft all die for it, at the diftance of fo many thoufand
Years.
CXIV. Tue Aftalegatus isa {mall flender Serpent, not ex-
ceeding the Quill of a Goofe in proportion ; not poifonous in its
Nature, yet very mifchievous ; for thefe little Creatures are an
united Body, and live in community, and never feparate : they
are a Society without Schifm, which is more than can be affirmed
of all human Societies, civil or ecclefiaftick.
W uEN thefe {mall harmonious Reptiles go abroad, they travel
in Company, a hundred {trong or more, and where they find any
afleep, they immediately feize the Body, and with a Force united
and irrefiftable, they devour it*, Behold! a Conqueft by an Army
of Worms!
Tuus Herod the Great, the Proud, the Cruel, when upon
the Throne, was attack’d by an Army of Worms, that quickly
devoured him, His Body became worm-eaten like a piece of rot-
ten Wood-+. Of the Executions done by Worms, we have di-
vers Inftances in the human World. No part of Man’s Body,
whether inward or outward, but is fubject to Worms, and have
been tormented with them.
Man’s Body, if rightly underftood, would appear to be a
Granary for Worms, of divers Colours and Sizes: In the inward
Parts, as Stomach, Guts, Liver, Blood, Gall, Bladder, have been
found {warms of Vermin, fapping the Foundation of the animal
Structure. We have Inftances of Worms bred in the human
Brains, and were difcovered in the Brain of the Paris-Gir/ when
opened—probably laid, by fome Infeé, in the Lamine of the
Noftrils, from whence it gnawed its way into the Brain?. So
in the outer parts.
GALEN
* Nierembergii Hifforia, cap. xiii. p. 274.
fF yevousv0s exwaynoBpwros, ACK. xii.
} Derbam trom Barcholinus.
OF SERPENTS.
GALEN in ‘fonftonusfays, that in Ethiopia, India, and the
mountainous part of Egvpt, the Inhabitants were tormented with
Worms, that bred in their Legs and Arms, called Dracuncult,
whofe Motion in the Flefh was confpicuous to the Eye.
LUCIUS CORNELIUS SYLLA, Conful and Diéator
of Rome, (the Glories of whofe Valour were obfcured by barba~-
rous Cruelties) died of a ®3:pse1s a wormy or loufy Difeafe: Thus
Aliman *, a renowned Greek Poet, and Pherecydes the Philofo-
pher, and Mafter to Pythagoras, died of the fame loathfome
Diftemper.
In Perfia there are very long flender Worms bred in the Legs
and other Parts of Men’s Bodies, fix or feven Yards long. Thofe
who live upon the Red-Sea, and feed upon Locufts, are, in the
laft Stage of Life, fubject to a fort of Flying-Worms, like what
is called a Tyke, fpread over all the Body, arifing at firft from a
Scab, by fcratching of which they tear their Fleth. Nieremberg.
Some relate divers Examples of Worms taken out of the
Tongue, Gums, Nofe, and other Parts by a Woman at Lercefter,
which they were Eye-witnefles of. N.B. Mr. Dent and Mr.
Lewis, 2 the Philofoph. Tranf. zz Lowthorp’s Abridg. where thefe
and divers others may be fen.
IF it did not extend the Digreffion too far, I might add here,
That there are no Animals, as Sheep, Wolves, Goats, Deers,
Cows, Horfes, Swine; yea, no Vegetables, as Trees, Herbs,
Plants, Flowers, but abound with Worms; and all thefe have
Worms peculiar to themfelves. By the help of microfcopical
Glafies, we may difcover Legions of Worms in Vinegar, human
Blood, and other Liquids.
CXV. Tue Ecatotl, Anguis-Venti, Serpent-of-the-Wind, and
very innocent, and perhaps the Name may be borrowed from a
gentle falutary Gale; it is about fix Spans long, and two Inches in
Craflitude ; the Eyes are black, Teeth {mall, the Belly bright,
like
* Phy, Part. i.
Sed quis non paveat pherecydos fata tragcedi :
Qui nimio fudore fluens, animalia tetra,
Eduxit turpi miferum qua morte tulerunt.
Sylla quoque infelix tali languore perefus
Corruit, & foedo fe yidit ab agmine vinci.
Sic teftatur Serenus medicus.
rro3)
136
A NATURAL HISTORY
like Silver. The Back and Sides illuftrated with white Streaks,
alternately painted with Yellow and Azure: the Tongue is ofa
black Colour, {mall, long, and cloven, and moft nimble in its
Vibrations *.
CXVI. DE Angue-Laqueo, the Enfnaring-Serpent. In the
Province of Vera-Pas, weft of the Honduras; they are much in-
fected with feveral Infects, as Muskettoes, Fire-Flies, and Serpents.
Among the laft is one Serpent of great Bulk, and excels in Craf-
tinefs, being very {fubtle and fharp in laying hold of its Prey. The
Method is furprizing; for it wraps up itfelf in the Form of a
Ginn, and fo decoys the Game into the Snare: It bites like a Dog,
and is very mifchievous, tho’ not of the venemous Order. bd.
CXVII. Tue ftupid Serpent, which they call Canaucoatl, in
Character is contradictious; for, as reprefented in Hiftory, ’tis
dull and in a manner deftitute of Senfation, and yet a Creature
full of Vitality and Spirit; and indeed is only remarkable for its
Mettle. It is of the Tribe of Innocents, and very ftrong, and
fears no Affault. In Dimenfion, monftrous; for Thicknefs, equal
to a Man’s Body, and twice the Length. ’Tis faid, fome have
fatupon it, apprehending it to be only the Trunk of an old Tree.
Some other fabulous Things are reported of it.
Ir lives in the Shadow of Woods, often concealing itfelf un-
der Branches and Leaves of Trees, where it furprizes the Prey,
which, to {peak with the Vulgar, .it draws to him, by the Force
of its Breath, as a Loadftone does Iron. The Authors of the
Atlas mention a Serpent of this attra@ive Power in the Phzip-
pine Ilands; Birds and other Animals are drawn into the Trap
by the Charms of the Breath; yea, Partridges, Weafels——are
made to run into its devouring Jaws. Loz.
Ir this Serpent be indued with this magnetic Property, it isa
living Loadfione, and more extenfive in its Attra¢tions than the
real one; for this draws all animal Bodies to it, whereas the real
Loadftone only attracts Iron. Attraction in the grofs, is fo com-
plex a thing, that it may folve a thoufand different things alike.
Tus Creature is called Jbztin in America; and probably the fame
with the following, though diftin@ly confidered by the Hiftorian.
4. CXVIII.
* Nierembergius, cap. XV. p. 274.
OMFS IST EIR. PLEIN &
CXVIII. Tue Serpent Bite, an Inhabitant of the Mountains
and Woods in the Ifland of Cuba, &c. of great Bulk, and Length
about four Ells; and in Shape terrible to the Eye. The Head,
which refembles that of a Calf, grows large to the Eyes, which
fparkle with the bright and black, and are incircled with Rays
of Green; it has wide Jaws, armed with many tharp Teeth, a-
mong which are four of the canine fort.
CANINT Dentes, that is Dog’s-Teeth, are two Teeth in each
Jaw, fo called, becaufe they end like thofe of a Dog in a fharp
Point, whofe particular Office is to pierce the Aliments, there-
fore are buried in their Sockets, by which they are more able to
refift all lateral Preflures, than the Mo/ares, or the common
Grinders.
THis Bitinian Serpent hangs by the Tail on Trees, devour-
ing Men and Beafts that pafs by, and come within its Reach, by
the dint of halituous Attraction, as the //wpid, and fome of the
Philippine Serpents are {aid to do; but if it be fo, the Philofophy
of it is not yet accounted for.
CXIX. Tue Monoxillo, or Mucronated-Serpent, fo called be-
caufe its Termination is fharp-pointed. It has fomething of the
Fierce and Terrible in its Appearance, but is more dreadful in Afpect
than Nature ; for its Wounds, though painful, are not mortal.
*Tis of the Lacertan Kind and Colour ; the Tail long, and Legs
of {mall length; the Body about two Spans long, the Tongue
large and forked and of red Colour. “Tis tedious in Motion; the
whole Compound is cruftaceous, like Shell-Fifhes, adorned with
white and yellow Spots, refembling little Pearls, or Seed of Grum-
mel or Gray-Mile.
N. B. Tue Seed of Vegetables confifts of an Embryo, in
which is contained the whole Plant in Miniature. A compleat
Oak 1s vifible in an Acorn by a Microfcope.
CXX. Tue Tapayaxin, a little wonderful Serpent; fome fay
of the Lacertan Kind, others fay of an orbicular Form, not above
four Inches Long. The Body is cartilaginous, or griftly, {mooth
and folid. This kind of Coverture is harder than a Ligament,
and fofter than a Bone, but is not covered over with any Mem-
brane to make it capable of Senfation.
Loy
"13
138
A NATURAL HISTORY
Ir moves flowly, and recommends itfelf by Diverfity of Co-
lours: when touched, the Body appears to be cold. Now, Bodies
are faid to be cold or hot, as their Particles are in a greater or
leffer Motion, than thofe of the fenfitory Organs. All Changes
in the created Globe, are the Effe@ts of Motion, without which
all Bodies would become unattive Maffes *-
Tuts little Animal, is faid to be pleafed, or rather uncon-
cerned, when taken up by human Hands; called on that ac-
count, the Friend of Man; that is, he qwho is not againft us, is for
us; therefore merits our Smiles. His Situation correfponds with
his natural Difpofition, for it is an Inhabitant of cold Regions.
When its Head is compreft, Drops of Blood guth out of his Eyes,
which he cafts to a great diftance from him; which agrees with
a former Defcription, Ge.
CXXI. DE Haro coloti genere. The Serpent Harus, accord-
ing to the Hiftorian +, isa Native of the Péilippines, and of
the Lacertan Tribe: a very long Head (like the Philippine Queen)
on a bulky Body, terminating in a fharp Point. It refembles the
Quaquetzall, is in Mexico, and agrees therewith in moft things,
and of which it feems to be a Species.
Ir chufes its Habitation among Shrubs adjacent to clear Streams,
and never defiles a Body, fo prettily coloured, with muddy Wa-
ter, till conftrained to make the Bulrufh its Shelter againft the
exceflive Heat of the Sun f.
~CXXIH. Tue Tamacolin, or a Serpent called Rubeta, of the
Lineage of the red Toad: This kind is made up of Variety, dif-
fering only one from another in Magnitude, Colour, and Poifon.
The leffer kind not fo venemous as the larger. Some are green,
fome are brown, and others black. In fhowery Weather they
make an open Appearance, and in fuch Numbers, that none walk
abroad without running the rifk of a poifonous Touch.
NEW-S P AIN abounds with them, where they affect watry
Habitations. In Peru are Toads as large almoft as. Cats or Dogs,
but not fo poifonous as thofe of Brazil, where they have a Fifh
called
* Newton’s Optisks, p. 375- 2
} Nierembergins, cap. xxiv. p. 276. Nafcitur in Philippicic.
} Ibid. p. 276.
OFOS-E R PEN(‘T S.
called Amyacu, i.e. Toad-Fifb; ’tis about a Span long, and oddly
19
painted ; its Eyesare fine and fair: It {wells and fnorts when taken °
out of the Water, which was the reafon of giving it that Name:
When flayed it may be eaten, but is otherwife poifonous; the
Poifon is drawn out by Application of Fire to the Part affected *.
CXXII. TETZAUCOATL, or the rare Serpent; fo cal-
led, becaufe the /ea/? of Serpents; and though very little, fcarce
four Inches long, or in Bulk fo big as a Goofe-quill, yet its
Wounds are moft deadly. The Belly is red, and diftinguifhable
by black Stains; the Back yellow, interlaid with divers Spots. It
is an Inhabitant of the North, and delights in cold Apartments.
This (though diftinétly defcribed by the Hiftorian) feems to be
the fame with the Tetzaucoat]+-. N. B. Little Things, greatly
dangerous.
Tue Poet weeps for a Perfon killed by the Fall of an Icicle,
which is a little Drop of Water congealed +. -Anacreon, the ce-
lebrated Lyrick Poet among the Greeks, was choaked with a /ittle
Kernel of a Grape. Little Things do great Executions, Little
Worms deftroy floating ‘Caftles. “Tarantula, a little Spider, poi-
fons a Giant. In Barbadoes is what they call the Poz/on-Tree, a
{ little Drop of its Sap flying into a Workman’s Eyes, makes him
blind ; therefore Workmen cover them with Cyprefs.
PLINY, from M.Varro fays, there was a Town in Spain
undermined by Comes, and another in Theffaly by Mold-Warps,
and another in France, from which they were driven out by
Frogs. .... In fome parts of Africa, People were conftrained by
Locufts to leave their Habitations. Out of Gyaros (one of the
Iflands of the Cyclades in the Egean Sea, moft of which are now
under the Zurks) the Inhabitants were forced away by Rats and
Mice, little Things: And if it be true, that Theophrajtus the
Philofopher reports, the Treriens were chafed away by an Army
of little Worms, called Scolopendra||. All thefe mighty Conquefts
were made by little contemptible Infeéts.
Wuar fays the Laconian, when wounded witha Dart? [I
am not, quoth he, concerned at my Death, but at my Fall by a
fiz Wound
* Harris in Atlas for Brazil in General. + Nreremb.
Oh! ubi non eft fi jugulatis aqua. Mart,
l| Pliny’s Natural Hiftory, Part. B. viii. Cap. 29.
2)
om
r4.0
A NATURAL HISTORY
Wound from a little feeble Archer. For ’tis Satisfaction to the
Vanquith’d to die by the Hand of heroic Valour; hence that of
Virgil ;
fEnee Magni dextra cadis, ....
Lis by the Great Fineas’ Hand you fall,
‘The reafon was, becaufe the Lacedemonians were wont to fight
with Swords, therefore it was not counted Bravery to kill Men
with a Dart, a thing that may be done by any Woman.
So in the vegetable World, there are Cedars and Shrubs. In
Natural Philofophy, we read of Atoms, that are Minima Nature,
the ultimate Particles into which Matter is divifible, and are
conceived as the firft Rudiments, or component Parts of all phy-
fical Magnitude, or the pre-exiftent and incomprehenfible Mat
ter, whereof particular Bodies were formed; there are Mountains
and Mole-Hills,
So.... there was Alexander the Great, and there is Alexander
the Little, the ingenious and learned Mr, Pope; the one con-
quered by the Sword, the other by his Pen, and has made all the
Regions of Fame tributary to him.
CXXIV. Tue tame and traétable Serpent, is of the Indiax
Race, about an Inch long, when brought firft from the Field
for domeftick Education ; and when at its full Growth, is not
much fhort of a Man’s Thigh. Its Habitation is in fome little
Hutch ere€ted on purpofe, (zadulgentie gratia) where it idles
away its time, till Hunger brings it out. Upon its Approach to
the Mafter of the Houfe, it creeps up to his Shoulders, where
the Embraces of that terrible Creature (being made tame) are re-
ceived with Delight *.
CXXV. Tue Tieoa, or Letloa, that is,a little fiery Serpent, and
very common in the new World, and defcribed by the Hiftorian
thus +f, v/z. Tis about a Finger broad, and five or fix Foot long,
and differenced from others by a Medley of Spots, compounded
of white, black, yellow, and dun Colours. The Head is like
that
* Nierembergius, cap. xl. p. 283.—Humeros heri amicé confcendunt, beneyolé
terrific animalis amplexus tolerantis.
+ Nierembergius, from Francifcus Hernandus.
OFISER PEN TS.
that of our Vipers, and the Tail, which feems to have a touch
of the Rattle, ends acutely,
Irs Wounds are deadly, and burn like Fire; hence the Name
it bears: Though fiery in Nature, is flow and winding in Mo-
tion, and may be avoided by the Traveller, if he has Eyes and
Ears. Its ufual Refidence is in Mountains, and the higher Moun-
tains are, the greater the Cold, (becaufe they only receive direét,
and but little of the reflected Rays of the Sun) yet are the Habi-
tations of fiery Animals.
Tue Learned obferve, there are Mountains a Mile and an half
high, to the tops of which, no Vapour, and confequently no Clouds,
can ever reach: And hence it is that in very high Mountains, as
the Pico de Therde in Bohemia, though the middle part be always
invefted with Snow, and the bottom {corched with intolerable
Heat; yet on the top you will find yourfelf in a pure, thin, fe-
rene Air, and view the Clouds hovering at a confiderable diftance
below you*.
Hence it is that all Thunder is confined within lefs than a
Mile’s Height. The Air is coldeft in the higheft places, and
hotteft in the loweft; but in the intermediate Atmofphere, where
we live, very unequal: but no Climates, however fituated, are
privileged with Exemption from venemous Creatures, and where
they are lefs peftered with them, “tis owing to the Cultivation of
the Land.
Tue Wounds given by this Serpent are dangerous, and cured
by an Herb called Ancola, by “fonftonus, p. 26, 27. but Anola,
by Nierembergius, p. 277, 283.
CXXVI. Tur Hydrus, or Natrix, an acquatic Serpent: The
former word from id., Water, of which ’tis an Inhabitant; the
other word denotes its Skill in the Art of Navigation; it goes un-
der various Denominations, as ‘appears in fon/ffonus ; who, from
Pliny obferves, that this Serpent is /uperior to moft in Beauty, and
inferior to none in Poifon-.
NICANDER, who calls the terreftrial Hydrus, a foul co-
loured Beaft, vindicates the beautiful Character of the Marine ;
who yet is not very nice in its Choice of Water, for muddy and
e clear
* BMontibus Tepextlanicis. $ Fonftoni Hiftoria Nat. p. 28.
I4¥
I 4.2
A NAPURAL HIS F ORY
clear is equally the fame to this beautiful Slut*. In its Nature
“tis very poifonous, fays one; Cardan is in the Negative. The
truth is, there are feveral forts of them, fome of which are
harmlefs, and others hurtful, and their Wounds attended with
very terrible Effeéts, defcribed by the poetick Phyfician +.
In fome parts of Perfia they are very numerous, defcribed by
white Heads and black Body, four Cubits long, and dangerous
to thofe who dabble in the Water by Night, as they often do in
that hot Country ; where thefe Animals feed upon Fifh and Frogs j ;
and breed upon Land, according to Ariffotle |}.
Irs common Habitation is in the Myclean Lake, in Corcina
or Corcyra, now Corfou, (a little rich Ifland in the Venetian Do-
minion) and alfo about Zaracina (a City of the. Volfecans in Cam-
-pama, in Italy, not far from Amycle) where the People, not
daring to kill Serpents, were overthrown by them ; to mention
no more. Ibid. |
CXXVII. T ue Natrix-Torquata, ‘fonfton makes different from
the former, and defcribes it thus ——Called Zorguata from its beau-
tiful Neck, which looks as if incircled witha ftrong Collar of
Pearls.....On the hinder part of the Head 1s a little narrow
Space in the form of two Scales, where the Spots on both fides
end acutely in a triangular form. The Scholiaff upon Nieander,
compliments thofe pretty Spots with the Title of Uttle Crowns **.
Ir goes under various Appellations. The Greeks called it
Guardian of their Houfes +, it being of the innocent fort:. Some
of the [talians call it Carbonarium, a Collier, becaufe its Colour
inclined to Coal-black, or Iron. Mr. Ray calls it, the common
Snake. It is larger thana Viper, and more grofs in Body; brings
forth its Young by Eggs, hatch’d by foreign Heat; feeds on
Mice =
* °Tis fometimes called Luzra, ex Luto; becaufe it delights moft in foul Wa-
ter; or the Word may fignify, to wath and make clean.
+ Peffima quas fecit plagas hec figna fequantur 5
Arida tota cutis circum putret horribileraque
Elevat afpectum, magni ignitique dolores
Tandem hominem interimunt. — Nicander.
+ Stagna colit, ripifque habitans hic pifcibus atram
Improbus Ingluviem ranifque loquacibus explet)
Exhaufta palus—Exilic in ficcum— Vrg. Georg, lib. iii.
{| Fonftonz Hif?. Nat. p. 28, 29. ** Ibid. p.29.
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OF SERPENTS.
Mice ; fucks Cows, upon which follows Blood. “The Reader is
referred to a former.
CXXVIIL. Tue Marine-Dragon, as Pliny calls it, or the true
Marine-Serpent, in the Dialect of ‘fonffenus, who, in his Defcrip-
tion of Fifhes, gives a particular account of it. We have already
accounted for monftrous Serpents in the Indies, where fome have
Teeth in the form of a Saw, with which they do more hurt than
with their Poifon, fays the Greek Hiftorian *.
In Africa, are {ome large and {trong enough to contend with
Oxen by Land, and to overturn a three-oar’d Galley by Water;
which agrees in Character with thofe of Norway already defcribed :
There we found fome of 2co Foot long, winding themfelves about
Ships, according to Olaus Magnus, Archbifhop of Upjal.
In- feveral of the Perfian Iflands are fome of twenty Cubits
long, and very terrifying to Sailors. Such alfo are feen in the
Promontory of Carmania, the Refidence of the Ichthyophagi, a
People that feed wholly upon Fifh; a fine Country for fuch who
are inclin’d to keep a perpetual Lent. ‘Tho’ thefe Monfters are
born in the Deep, yet are they found in frefh Waters, and fome-
time {porting upon Land, where they fleep +.
Tue fame Author tells us, of a terribie Battle that happen’d
in Turkey, in the time of Bajazet, between the Jand and marine
Serpents, that continued from Morning to Night, when after a
great Deftruction on both fides, the Marines fled. Ibid.
CXXIX. Tue Rubetarian- Serpent is a very noify Animal, who
for its croaking Noife is refembled toa land Toad. It alfo engages
the Attention of the Eye, for it excels in Beauty: It’s known among
Country-People by thefe two Characterifticks, wiz. Loud and
Pretty. Here we fee, what is an Offence to the Ear may be a
pleafing Entertainment to the Eye; thus the Five Senfes agree to
differ in their feveral Perceptions, and to meet in feveral diftine
Apartments of the capital Temple, in the pacifick Empire. But
to return to the deautiful Padalica of the Polonians:
Ir is faid of this Serpent, that when it wounds any in the
Foot, the Remedy is to put the wounded part into the next Earth,
that
* ZEiani Hift. lib. xvi. cap. 3.
+ Faonfton. de Pifcib. p. 9. Arweculus v.
143
144
A NATURAL IJHISTORY
that is inclined to the moift, for twenty-four hours. This feems
to differ from the American Rubeta.
CXXX. Tue Serpent de Boa is another of the monfirous
kind ; called Boa from Bos, the Latin word for an Ox, which
it devours at once: The young ones, which grow to a great Bulk,
are nourifhed by fucking the Cow.
In the Emperor Claudius’s time, in one of them that was
killed, they found a Child that was whole. In Ca/géria are fome
monftrous Animals, not unlike thefe, fays the Hiftorian ; who
adds, that not many Years ago a certain Bifhop {peaks of a large
mifchievous Serpent, that was fhot near St. Archangel, whofe
Jaws were almoft two Palms long, the Portraiture of which is
yet feen in a certain Temple there *.
CXXXI. I Am informed by fome Perfons, who had it by Tradi-
tion from ancient People, that formerly there was in this Country a
monftrous Serpent of four or five Yards long, and thicker than a
common Axle-tree of a Cart, and very mifchievous, preying upon
Lambs, &c. Its chief Refidence was in a Wood, near Pzchop-
bank, a few Miles from Blackburn, in Lancafhire, called Ou/e-
Caffle, wherein there is yet a little Spot of Ground, called Grzom’s-
Ark, which is a deep Cavern, fituated among Rocks, in a Wood,
from whence it was feen to come out, and bafk itfelf on a funny
Bank.
Tue Picture of this Serpent is drawn with Wings, two Legs,
and Talons like an Eagle, which is feen in fome ancient Houfes,
{and particularly at Clayton-hall, near Dunkin-hall) by which it
appears to be very large and furious.
It’s faid, one Grimfhaw Efq; Proprietor of that Hall,
thot the Monfter with Arrows, and had an Eftate offer’d him for
that good Service done to his Country, which he generoutly re-
fufed, and only defired he might have a Paflage thro’ that Wood
to a Townfhip he had on tother fide of it, which was granted,
the Title of which is to be found in old Writings. By another
hand I am informed, that it was fuppofed to be a Grijim, which
is
* M. Antonius Cuccinus Epifcopus Anglonenfis ad ThomaGum—in Agro S.
Archangeli. In Fonflonus , in Verb.
OF) S-E\R PEN Ts.
isa Bird of Prey, and of the Eagle kind, which, I take to be
the Offifrage of Mofes, and mentioned Levit. xi.
THERE is alfo a fabulous Grzfin, reprefented with four Legs,
Wings, and a Beak; the upper part like an Eagle, and the lower
a Lion.” They conjecture, it to watch over golden Mines and
hidden Treafures. This Bird was confecrated to the Sun, there-
fore the Chariot of the Sun was reprefented as drawn by a Set of
Griffins.
Tuts poetick Griffin is frequently feen in antient Medals, and
is {till bore in Coat-Armor. The antient and honourable Family
of the Guz/lims blazons it rampant, alledging any very fierce
Animal may be io blazon’d as well as a Lion. It is obfervable,
fays my Author, that in the Front of Clayton-hall are two Figures
drawn in Plaifter in the form of a Coat of Arms; on the right
fide of the Efcutcheon is a Figure with Wings, four Feet, and a
Tail twifted in the Form of a Serpent. The like Figure is drawn
in Plaifter in feveral antient Houfes in that Neighbourhood, which
go under the Name of the Griffin's Picture, and the Sign is ufed
at Publick-houfes: There is a Place in that Wood called the
Griffin s- Ark.
N.B. Tuts feems to carry fome Probability with it, fince
Eagles are voracious Creatures, and very deftruétive to Fawns and
Lambs, efpecially the black Eagle, which is of a lefler Size than
the other,
In fome of the Scots I/lands, the Natives obferve, that this
Eagle fixes its Talons between the Deer’s Horns, and beats its
Wings conftantly about its Eves ; feveral other Eagles flying at
the fame time on both fides, which puts the Deer upon a continual
Run, till it fall into a Pit, or down a Precipice, where it dies,
and fo becomes a Prey to the Enemy *.
CXXXII. In fome of the Weftern Iflands of Scotland are fe-
veral Serpents: There is one that is ye/ow with brown Spots, and
another with drown Spots; but that which is the moft poifonous,
is the black and white /potted, three or four Foot long.
Tue Remedies are fuch as thefe: The Natives cut off the
Head of the Serpent that gives the Wound, and apply it to the
Place as the beft Remedy: Others, by the Application of new
U Cheefe,
* Martin's Defcription of the Wefter2 Iflands of Scotland, Edit. il. p. 7. f
145
14.6
A NATURAL HISTORY
Cheefe, extract the Poifon ; and fome make ufe of the Rump of
a Cock ftript of its Feathers, which they apply to the Wound
with Succefs, according to the Hiftorian *.
In the Library at Manchefter, is the Skin of a Serpent which
was five Yards long, as thick as the Calf of a Man’s Leg; has a
forked Tongue, fcaly Skin, yellow Colour.
CXXXIII MARTINIUS in his Atlas relates, that in the
Province of Quangfi in China, there are Serpents thirty Foot
long. The Phra Sinenfis reports of the Serpent call’d Geuto, that
it devours whole Stags, but is not very venemous, ’Tis of an afh:
Colour, from eighteen to twenty-four Foot long ; will often feize
on a Man, by leaping from a Tree, and kill him, by its violent
windings about him.—The Chine/e preferve his Gall to cure the
Difeafes of the Eyes —Marcus Paulus Venetus teftifes the fame
of the Serpents of Carrajam.—Some are in length ten Paces, in
thicknefs ten Palms, and able to fwallowa Man. Are taken thus:
The Serpent in the Day lies in Caves of Mountains; in the Night
hunts for Prey, and then returns to its Cave, with the weight of
its Body, plowing deep the Earth, being fandy in the Track it
goes along: Here the Huntfmen fix ftrong Stakes pointed with
Iron, covered with Sand; and as the Serpent travels along, the
Spikes gore its Entrails, and are faften’d therein, by which ’tis
kil?d; and the Huntfmen fell the Ga// at a great Price for Me-
dicine, and the Fle/h for Meat. Thefe, continues he, may be
reckon’d among Dragons, but are without Poifon: Inftead of
Feet, they haveClaws like thofe of a Lion or Falcon —There are
other Serpents in China full of rank Poifon, efpecially the Aazry-
beaded Serpent. So far Martin.
N. B. Tuts Province of Quamfi or Quangfi is able to raife a
Million of fighting Men. It is not fo much frequented as the
Province of Quantung or Canton, where they have two Harvetts a
year. One fays, there is a Mountain here with a Pool in it,
which makes a Noife like Thunder, if a Stone be caft into it,
and caufes Showers from the Sky --. Their Winter is warm, and
their Fields always verdant, producing great Quantities of Gold,
Pearl, Silk, Copper, Steel, Iron, Salt,—and odoriferous Woods.—
They
+ Martin's Defiription of ibe Ile of Skies &c. p. 236.
+ Pancirollus.
OF SERPENTS.
They hatch their Ducks Eggs and thofe of other Fowls in Ovens,
or Dunghills.
CXXXIV. TuHere isa kind of Tefudo (I don’t mean the
common Tortoife) which is a certain fort of Snake, {mall in Body
and of white Colour, found in Lydia, Arabia,—cafed over with a
white colour’d Shell, which thines like a {parkling Margarite *,
- ISuHact clofe this Part with an Experiment made by the
noble Roman before-mentioned, who (being follicitous to take a
compleat View of a Serpent) after he had diffe€ted one, preferved
the Flefh and Bones, and having, /ecundum artem, reduced them
to Afhes,—extracted Aqua Fontana,—whofe Virtues were equal
to thofe drawn from the Afhes of other Animals, and of Plants.
- To this venemous Tribe, I fhall annex a few Reptiles, in
whofe Veins I find fomething of the Serpent’s Blood; and clofe
the variegated Lift with a large Account of the Tarantula, its
Wound, and Cure by Mufick ; then inquire into the Reafons of
that {trange Operation; the Nature and Force of Sounds, not
only on the Animal Paffions, but Inanimate Matter. I fhall be-
gin with,
i: HE Bee, called the Honey-Fly, a little Animal that has
four Feet, which it carries clofe to the Belly, and not eafily
feparated: It has four Wings, fmall Teeth, and a long Tongue,
which ufually it carries out of the Mouth. Its Sting cleaves to the
Belly, which, when it ftrikes, it parts with, and becomes unca-
pable of wounding a fecond time; which, I think can’t be faid
of any other Member of the ftinging Race, unlefs it be the Wafp
and Hornet. ,
TuHeE Sting, inthe Defign of it, feems to be only a Weapon
of Defence ; it looks like a Tube or Pipe, hollow, with a little
Bag of fharp penetrating Liquid (which is its Poifon) joined to
the Extremity of it within rhe Body, which, in ftinging, is in-
jected into the Wound thro’ the Tube ; and tho’ venemous and
painful, is not ftrong enough to corrupt the Mafs of Blood.
U2 ® ONE
* Pancirollus.
147
148
A NATURAL HISTORY
One may, with the naked Eye, fometimes fee this little In-
fect difcharge its Venom, in which, fays the ingenious Dr. Mead,
by the help of a Glafs, I can eafily difcover a great Number of
minute Salts floating. In Brazil, Bees are diftinguith’d into twelve
kinds, among which are fome that fting in a moft furious and
fatal manner, called Mateecas by the Indians.
In Ceylon inthe Eaft Indies, are feveral Bees, the largeft are of
a brighter Colour than ours; they make their Combs on the Boughs
of Trees: At proper Seafons, the Inhabitants hold Torches under
them, till they drop down, which they carefully gather, boil and
eat, and are accounted excellent Food. In Quvatemala are Bees and
Honey of a white Colour, and fome without a Sting, fays the
Hiftorian *,
II. To the Bee, I add the Wafp, which, as it is fomething
larger, makes a deeper Wound; it differs alfo from it in its Food,
which 1s Flefh and Carrion, when it can be got; whereas the Bee
regales itfelf with delicious Entertainments, and enriches its Fa-
mily with all the Glories of the vegetable Kingdom. From whence
is the Honey? I anfwer, That in Flowers is found a vifcid {weet
Juice, and accordingly we fee Children gather Cowflips, Honey-
fuckles, and fuck the Honey from them. The Bees vifit all
Flowers within their Reach, and putting it in their Trunks, fuck
out the Honey, with which they load their Stomachs, to be dif-
charg’d, and laid up in their Combs. Among the Antients, Ho-
ney was taken for a Dew that fell on Flowers; but this is a mi-
ftake, becaufe the Bees only gather it after the Sun is up, when
there is no Dew left, or very little.
Ill. Tue Hornet is yet more dangerous, and has been known
to purfue a Sparrow, and kill it, and then fuck its Blood. The
Hornet and Wafp have ftrong Jaws tooth’d, by which they can
dig into Fruits, for Suftenance; yea, and into harder Subftances,
for Quarters.
iy you take a Bee, a Wafp, or Hornet, and gently fqueeze
the Tail, fo that you can {ee the Sting, you may perceive a Drop
of tranfparent Liquor at the very end of it; which if wiped off,
you fhall foon fee it renew’d, that Liquid pafling down the Ca-
4 vity
* Nierembergius, p. 286.
OF SERPENTS.
vity into the end thereof: ’Tis faid the Decoétion of Hornets
dropt on the Skin, makes is {well.
IV. I Proceep tothe Spider, another little venemous Infed,
whofe forked ‘Tongue or Sting, is very fine and {harp ; by this he
pierces Flies—and at the fame time, inftils a poifonous Juice into
the Wound, by which the Prey being kill'd, it fucks out the
Moifture, and leaves nothing but a hufky dry Carcafe: Tradition
fays, it poifons by fpitting, or breathing, becaufe it dare not ap-
proach {fo near to a large Fly as toa little one; but keeps at fome
diftance, and ufes a kind of fhoving Motion, upon which the
Fly has done ftruggling.
T HERE are various forts of thefe little ftrange Creatures,
whofe Stings are hurtful, as the 4forius, (fo called from its re-
femblance to a Star) whofe Wound produces Heavinefs, and Re-
Jaxation of the Nerves. The Ceruleus, or blue Spider, whofe
Sting is attended with Vomiting and Pain at the Heart. The
Lycos, the leaft of the kind, that caufesan 4/fhma, and Swelling
about the wounded Part. In the Philofophical Tranfactions, we
have a Table of thirty-three kinds of Spiders found in Exgland,
by Dr. Lifer *.
THERE is fomething very curious and admirable in thofe long
Threads they make in the Air, during fome part of Summer, efpe-
cially towards September, fo much wonder’d at, in fuch Quantities
every where. The Method of Operation, I take to be as fol-
lows, vz.
Aut Spiders that fpin in a Thread, are the Makers of thofe
Threads, moft vifible in the Autumn. In all the ways of weav-
ing, they ftill let down the Thread they make ufe of, and draw
it after them. Attending on one that wrought a Net, I faw it,
fays a very nice Obferver, fuddenly in the Mid-work defift, and
turning his Tail into the Wind, to dart out a Thread, with the
Violence we fee Water {pout out of a Spring: This Thread taken
up by the Wind, was in a Moment emitted fome Fathoms long,
ftill iffuing out of his Belly ; by and by the Spider leapt into the
Air, and the Thread mounted her up {wiftly.——And I found the
Air fill’d with young and old, failing on their Threads, and un-
doubtedly, fays the Relator, {eizing Gnats and other Infects in
their
* Lowthorp, vol.ii. p. 793.
149
150
A NATURAL HISTORY
their Pafflage; there being often manifeft Signs of Slaughter, as
Legs, and Wings of Flies.... on thefe Lines, as in their Webs
below *.
SprpeERs have been obferved to get to the Top of a Branch
or fuch like thing, where they exercife this darting of Threads
into the Air. After the firft Flight, all the time of their failing
on thofe Threads, they make Locks, ftill darting forth frefh Sup-
plies of Thread to {port and fail by. WN. B. Thofe called Shep-
herds, or long-legg’d Spiders, are no Spinners.
I Have feen Spiders, fays the Learned Dr. Hul/e+-, fhoot their
Webs three Yards long before they begin to fail upon them. So
the Learned Derham obferves, that with pleafure he had often
feen Spiders dart out their Webs, and fail away by the Help
thereof.
AMERICA turns out diverfe kinds of thefe araneous In-
fects: In Peru are Spiders as large as a Man’s Hand, and have
Eyes as big as thofe of Sparrows. In Brafi there is one kind of
Spider, whofe Skin is rough and black, and whofe Sting proves
incurable, without immediate Relief. On the other hand, we
read of monftrous Spiders in the Axfzlles, whofe Eyes are fo {mall
and deep in the Head, that they are fcarcely vifible: They feed
on flying Infects, and their Webs are {trong enough to catch {mall
Birds f.
CEYLON in the Eaf-Indies produces a long, glittering, and
hairy Spider, called Democulo, whofe Wound is not mortal, but
fometimes deprives People of their Senfes, There is an Experi-
ment made by Mr. Leewenhoeck, who put a Frog and Spider to-
gether into a Glafs, and having made the Spider fting the Frog
diverfe times, the Frog died in about an hour’s time |}.
THERE is another Inftance of the Poifon of fome of them
(for all are not poifonous) given by the Learned Scaliger, who
relates, that in Ga/cony in France, there are Spiders of that Viru-
lency, that if a Man treads upon them to crufh them, their Poi-
fon will pais thro’ the very Soles of his Shoe ||.
Vv.
* Lowrhorg, vol.ii. p-794- + Ibid. vol-i. p. 363.
t Arl. Geog. Amer. p. 179, 2655 § 19.
|| Scaliger Exercit. in Boyle's Subti!. Efflu. Philof. Tranfattious. Where there is a
curious Account how Spiders lay and guard their Eggs. Derbam.
OF SERPENTS.
V. Tue Scolpendra is a little venemous Worm, and amphi-
bious. When it wounds any, there follows a Bluenefs about the
affeéted Part, and an Itch over all the Body, like that caufed by
Nettles. Its Weapons of Mifchief are much the fame with thofe
of the Spider, only larger; its Bite is very tormenting, and pro-
duces not only pruriginous Pain in the Flefh, but very often
Diftraction of Mind. Thefe little Creatures make but a mean
Figure in the Rank of Animals, yet have been terrible in their
Exploits, particularly in driving People out of their Country :
Thus-the Inhabitants of Rbytium, a City of Crete, were conftrained
to leave their Quarters for them *, There isa minute Scolopendra,
accounted for by Dr. Molyneux.
’ VI. Tue Shrew-Serpent in Norway, is a Creature of admira-
ble Beauty ; {mall in Body, and flow in Motion, but of fiery Ve-
nom, and its Wounds moft dangerous.
VI. Tre Lacertus Facetanus, or Tarantula, whofe Bite gives
Name to a new Difeafe. Thofe who are wounded by it are de-
nominated Tarantati: It is a kind of an overgrown Spider, about
the Size of a common Acorn: ern
Ir borrows its Name from Tarentum in Apulia, a City in the
Kingdom of Naples, built by a Band of Lacedemonian Baftards,
who having no Inheritance at home, were fent thither to feek their
Fortunes, where they built that Town, and made it the Capital
of Magna Gracia.
’ Tuts little Animal is furnith’d with eight Eyes, and eight
Legs: Its Skin is tender and foft, of various Colours, and always
hairy: ’Tis of the oviparous kind, and propagates its Species by
Eggs, and fometimes a hundred Eggs have been found in one
Female.
In the Opinion of fome, ’tis not only an Inhabitant of Apulia,
but peculiar to that Province, a Situation that may be called, 4
Garden of Rarities; Plenty of generous Wine, delicate Honey
and Oil, an early Spring, a foft Winter—render it a moft delight-
ful Habitation, efpecially to old Perfons, according to the Poet -} 5
and
* Elian, \ib.xv. cap. 26.
$ —llle terrarum mihi prater omnes— (Hora?. lib. ii. ode 6.) Angulus.—
151
ANATURAL HISTORY
and yet in that moft-agreeable.Region, this little Tyrant reigns
and {preads Terror.
Ir’s found in other Parts of Italy, and even in the Ifle of Cor-
fica; but thofe of Apulia, ‘tis faid, are only dangerous; though I.
think to have read fomething like it-in Perfiz, where there is an
Infeét like a Spider, about two Inches round, which the Hol/fein
Ambafiadors fuppofe to be the Latin Stellio, and the Italian Ta-
rantula: Xt lets its Poifon fall ikea Drop of Water, which caufes
an infupportable Pain in that Part.... immediately caufes a pro-
found Sleep, from which the Patient is not to be recovered, but
by crufhing one of the fame Creatures upon the Wound; or, if
this can’t be had, by pouring as much Milk down his Throat as
they can, and then put him on an Engine, which they turn
round with great Violence, till by that viclent Agitation, his Sto-
mach difcharges the Milk, which appears greenifh, becaufe of
the Poifon. ‘Thofe who are cured thus, have fome Remnant of
the Pain once a Year, about the fame Seafon *.
Bu 7 to return to /taly; ’tis obfervable, that it hurts no where
but in Apulia, and that only in Summer, efpecially in the Camz-
cular-Days, {fo called from Canicula, that fignifiesa Dog; hence
Dog-Star, which rifes cofmically with the Sun the 19th of Fu/y,
and is fuppofed to be the brighteft, as well as the largeft Star in
the Firmament.
Tu £ Dog-Days denote certain Days before and after the Rifing
of this Star, to whofe Appearance the Antients afcrib’d terrible
Effects: the very firft Day it appears, they fay (but without Rea-
fon) the Sea becomes boifterous and boils like a Cauldron, pro-
duces Variety of Diftempers, fours Wine, and Dogs grow mad.
.... Lhe Romans, dreading the Indignation of this Star, facri-
ficed a Dog every Year to it, (viz. at its firft Appearance in our
Hemifphere) to appeafe its Rage againft Mortals.
In Winter, this ¢a/ian Spider lurks in Caverns, and folitary
Places; and if it happens to bite, hurts not: There it lives in a
drowfy Pofture, and keeps Len till Summer; when the whole
Tribe creeps out, and difperfe themfelves over that pleafant Land ;
and Wo to the Body afleep, and bare Legs, in Corn-Fields.
T Hose on the Plains are much to be feared, the Air being
hotter there than on the Mountains, where their Bite is not dan-
gerous,
* Voyages and Travels of the Ambaff. of Freder. Duke of Holfteiz.
i fth
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OF SERPENTS.
gerous, the Solar Rays not being fo ftrong in thofe Heights: and
what is yet more furprizing, is, that if they wound any out of
Apulia, though in places not remote from it, the Wounded re-
ceive no deadly Hurt *.
WueEwn it bites, the Pain refembles that given by the Sting of
a Bee, and is attended with various Symptoms, according to their
different Natures: The Northern Tarantula is the moft terrible;
thofe that are inclin’d to the whzte Colour are not fo dangerous ;
the {potted differs from both.
Tue Wound given by any of them is dangerous, and has dif.
ferent Indications. In fome that are bitten, an univerfal Stupor
follows; others weep: Some tremble and vomit ; others laugh,
fancying themfelves to be Kings. This perhaps made Dr. Cornelio
reprefent this as an imaginary Difeafe; that thofe who imagine
themfelves hurt, are moft of our young wanton Girls, who, fal-
ling from fome particular Indifpofition into Melancholy and Mad-
ne{s, perfuade themfelves that they have been ftung by a Taran-
tula +.
SOME grow pale, fick and faint, and die in a fhort time, un-
lefs relieved by Mufick, which alone, without the Help of Me-
dicine, performs the Cure.
Tue Wounded are as Men half dead, but at the firft Sound
of a mufical Inftrument, though they are very weak, and feem-
ingly unable to ftir, they begin by degrees to move their Hands
and Feet, till at laft they get up, and then fall to dancing with
wonderful Vigour, for two or three Hours, their Strength and
AGtivity {till encreafing. Some will continue the Dance, without
Intermiffion for fix Hours; and when tired they are put to Bed,
and after they are fufficiently recruited by Reft, they are called
up again by the fame Tune,-and renew the Dance with great
Violence, the Mufick ftill playing ; and when the Patients grow
weary, they are put into Bed again, and kept warm to encourage
Perfpiration. Thefe Exercifes being continued fix or feven Days,
the Patient finds himfelf fatigued and unable to dance any longer,
which is the Charaéteriftic of a Cure.
THE vy ufually {pend ten or twelve Hours a-day in this violent
Exercife, and continue it for three or four, or fix Days; by which
time
* Baglivti de Anatome, Morfu G& Effect. Tarantule Differtatio i. p.27. & cap. v.
p. 20. t Philof. Tranfad.
133
wah
A NATURAL HISTORY
time they are generally freed from all their Symptoms, tho’ not
always, fays the learned Baghvi, who obferves, that about the
fame time next Year, the Diftemper returns, and will prove fa-
tal, if not prevented by the fame mufical Application.
In Apulia is a Scorpion, whofe Wounds are accompanied with
the fame Effects as thofe produced by the Zarantula, and are only
curable by Mujfick and Motion. Thefe Apulian Scorpions, are lets
violent than thofe of Africa, but more virulent than thofe in
other Parts of Italy. I fhall only offer two Remarks here.
1. THAT different Patients muft be entertain’d with different
Tunes, according tothe different Symptoms of the Difea/e; in which the
great Art of curing them feems to confift. e.g. Some are roufed
by a Pipe, others by a Timbrel: Some are roufed by a Violin,
others by the Harp; and all muft be entertain’d with different
Airs. The Mbuficians therefore make Trial before they can accom-
modate the Sound to the Venom; which requires the moft brifk
and lively Tunes, to produce a powerful Vibration in the Body ;
and till this be done, the miferable Patients ftand ftill, fighing
and fobbing. The Vibrations muft be quick and frequent.
2. DURING the Time of Cure, the wounded People throw them-
Jelves into a Varsety of ftrange Forms, and behave like Drunkards
and Madmen.... talking foolifhly .... diverting themfelves with
naked Swords, red Cloth, Ge. but the Sight of any Object that
appears black is terrible tothem. did.
To this Account of the Tarantula, I have (by way of Illuftra-
tion) added the Remarks of another learned Foreigner, who fays
.... The venemous Bite of the Tarantula is quickly follow’d with
a very acute Pain, and foon after, with Numbnefs, profound
Sadnefs, difficult Refpiration: The Pulfe grows weak, the Sight
difturbed ; Perfons lofe their Knowledge, Senfe, and Motion ;
and if deftitute of Help, they die..... The moft effectual and
certain Remedy is Mufick: When the Perfon becomes deftitute of
Knowledge and Motion, a Mu/ician tries a Variety of Airs:
Shou’d he hit on that whofe Harmony is fuited to the Patient,
he begins to move by fucceflive Degrees, and keeps Time with
his Fingers, Arms, Legs, &c. he raifes himfelf, and dances about
fix Hours without Intermiffion.....
Wren the Mufick ceafes, the fick Perfon gives over dancing,
and is put to Bed: The fame Air brings him out of Bed fora new
Dance,
OF SERPENTS.
Dance, an Exercife that lafts fix or feven Days.——-=V. B. Every
fick Perfon muft have his particular and fpecific Tune, and al-
ways one that is very fprightly and moving.
Tue Poifon of the Tarantula, adds he, thickens the Blood,
and ftops feveral of its Paflages; thence the Numbnefs: The
Blood being thick, furnifhes but a fmall Quantity of animal Spi-
rits, their Canals are fhrunk up in the Brain: The Nerves being
deftitute of Spirits, relax; thence proceed the Inaétivity, and De-
fe&t of Knowledge and Motion : But the Vibrations of the quick
Airs which are play’d, agitate the Blood and the reft of the ani-
mal Spirits, which are foon increafed by the Agitation of the
Blood: Being agitated and multiply’d, they run into the Fibres
and Nerves, which being put into Unz/ox with the fonorous Strings,
receive their Vibrations, and are fhorten’d or extended fucceflively ;
whence proceeds the fucceffive Motion of the Fingers, Arms,
Legs, &c.*
Tu £ Action of Dancing augments the Agitation of the Blood,
and makes the Patient fweat. The Poifon being agitated and at-
tenuated, is exhaled by Tranfpiration ; in proportion as the Poi-
‘fon is exhaled, the fick Perfon perceives himfelf eafed; this Eafe
continually inclines him to dance: When all the Poifon is diffi-
pated by Agitation and Sweat, the Blood recovers its Fluidity
and ufual Courfe.
I SHatt conclude this hiftorical Account, with a Paflage
taken out of a formed Hiffory of the Tarantula +, writ by a learned
Author, who having defcribed the Difeafe, proceeds to the man-
ner of Cure, wz. The falivous Poifon of that Spider feizes prin-
cipally on the Nerves and Mufcles—the manner of Cure thus——
Tue Air moved by the mufical Motion of Inftruments, moves
the next, and fo onwards (as we fee in the circular increafing
Motion of the Water, when a Stone is caft into it) till the like
be produced in the Spirits of the Body, to which the Air is im-
pelled.——Now, adds he, the Commotion of the Paflions depends
upon the Spirits, and the vifcous Humour of the Tarantula is a
very capable Subject of Sound: Hence the next Air being moved
by a mufical Tone fuitable to the Patient, the lurking Poifon, and
‘ x2 Spirits
* Father Reguault, Phil. Conv. or New Sy(tem of Phyfic) vO. ii. Conversation xiv.
P: 263,——9.
+ Printed at Leyden, in 1270. 4, D, 1668.
155
A NATURAL HISTORY
Spirits of a Man are put intoa Commotion ; by which Agitation,
the Nerves being vellicated, the Spirits vehemently ftirred, and
Mufcles moved, the Dancing, or fomething like it, muft of ne-
ceflity enfue, by which the Cure is performed: For, by vehe-
ment Motion the Blood is heated, the Pores are opened, and the
Poifon rarified ; which can’t be done by common Sudorificks,
becaufe the Medicines can’t reach, or at leaft can’t ftir thofe little
Particles where the Poifon lies, as Motion by Dancing does.
ISuaxu add here fome Reflections on the Power of Mujick,
and give Inftances of it in the human Mind, in animal, and inant-
mate Bodies.
MUSICK appears to be one of the moft antient of Arts, and
of all other, vocal Mufick muft have been the firft kind, and bor-
rowed from the various natural Strains of Birds * ; as ftringed In-
ftruments were from Winds whiftling in hollow Reeds, and pul-
fatile Inftruments (as Drums and Cymbals) from the hollow Noife
of concave Bodies. This is the Conjecture.
. Musticx has ever been in the higheft Efteem in all Ages, and
among all People. Nor could Authors exprefs their Opinions of
it ftrongly enough, but by inculcating, that it was in Heaven,
and was one of the principal Entertainments of the Blefled.
Tue Effects afcribed to Mufick by the Antients, almoft a-
mount to Miracles; by means thereof Difeafes are faid to have.
been cured, Unchaftity corrected, Seditions quelled, Paffions raif-.
ed and calmed, and even Madnefs occafioned.
Mustrecx has been ufed as a Sermon of Morality ....¢he-
neus tells us, that the Livesand Actions of illuftrious Men were.
Written in Verfe, and publickly fung by a Chorus, to the Sound”
of Inftruments, which was found to be the moft effectual means
to imprefs Morality, and a right Senfe of Duty on the human
Mind +.
Tuus the Pythagoreans made ufe of Mufick to cultivate the
Mind, and fettle in it a paffionate Love of Virtue. Pythagoras
inftituted a moft profitable Corre€tion of Manners by Mufick;
which, he fays, conduces very much to Health; and he made ufe
of it, not. only againft. Difeafes of the Mind, but thofe of the
Body.
* At liquidas avium voces imitarier ore,
Ante fuit mulro qyam carmiina cantu
Concetebrare homines poffent aureifque juvare. Lucretizs.
+ Chambers’s Cyclopedia, yol. ii,
OF SERPENTS. 157
Body. It was the common Cuftom of the Pythagoreans to foften
their Minds with Mufick before they went to fleep ; and alfo in
the Morning, to excite themfelves to the Bufinefs of the Day *.
Tuts Cure of Diftempers by Mufick founds odd, but was a
celebrated Medicine among the Antients. We have already con-
fidered, how thofe wounded by the Tarantula were healed by.
Mufick ; the Evidence of which is too ftrong to be overturned :
That which now lies before me, is, to prove this to be the Prac--
tice of Antiquity, which will appear by the following Inftances.
ISuHaut begin with Democritus (a Philofopher of the firft
Rank, and a moft diligent Inquirer into the Myfteries of Nature)
who taught in his Works, that Mu/ick of . Pipes was a Medicine’
for moft Diftempers..... Thales of Crete, being fent for by the
Lacedemonians to remove the Plague, came, and by the Help of
Mufick he did fo; and he is faid to do it by the Command of
Apollo, as appears from the Great Cheronean Moral? +. If any
Credit be given to Terpander, it appears he fuppreft an Infurre@tion
in their Town by the Ufe of Mufick. Ldzd.
WE read of a young Manamong others of Tautomenium, whofe
Paffions being inflamed by Mufick in the Phrygian Mood, was
going to force open a Matron’s Houfe, but his Rage was foon
calmed, when the Piper (by Pythagoras’s Advice) changed his
Air into the Spondaic Mood; and he went home quietly, which
the Philofopher could not make him do by Perfuafives. This
hiftorical Paffage is confirmed by Ammonzus, and Cicero,.and is
thus related, vz.
WueEn as fome young Men, being drunk, and irritated by’
the Mujfick of Flutes, would have broke into an honeft Woman's:
Houfe, but upon hearing one playing a Spondaic Air, their out-
ragious Heat was allay’d by the Slownefs of the Mood, and So-
lemnefs of the Tune..... :
St. Bafil gives another Inftance to the fame purpofe, v/z. That
Pythagoras meeting. with fome that came with Mufick from a
Feaft, drunk, requefted the Mufician to change his Tune; which
he did, and playing a Doric ir, they were fo brought to them--
felves, that they threw away their Garlands, and walked home,
afhamed of their Folly.
THE O--
* Plutarch de Ofir. & If. + Plutarch’s Morals on Mufick.
5
158
A NATURAL HISTORY
THEOPHRASTUS is faid to cure Perfons that had been
wounded by Serpents, with various kinds of Mufick.—Probatum
eft*. Another Obfervation of his was, that Difeafes were made
and mitigated by Mufick. Plato forbids Mufick and Wine to
young Perfons, left one Fire fhould kindle another +.
Tue Pythagoreans, to appeafe the Troubles of the Mind,
lulled themfelves afleep by Tunes upon the Harp: Thus Homer
brings in Achilles relieving his Melancholy by playing on his Lute,
and mitigating his Anger againft Agamemnon by Mufick, which
he had learned of Chiron. <Afclepiades, a Roman Phyfician of
great Reputation, is faid to heal frantic Melancholy, and mad
People, by vocal and inftrumental Mufick {. The learned Nea-
politan adds, Tanta hominis nature cum harmonia confenfio eft.
Wuatever be the Caufe of it, there is nothing more power-
ful than Mufick for moving the human Paffions, making fome
penfive and melancholy, others brifk and lively. The truth is,
fays the Learned Wallis, we can match moft of the antient Stories
of this kind in the modern Hiftories. e.g.
Ir Timotheus could excite Alexander’s Fury with the Phrygian
Mood, and footh him into Indolence with the Lydian, a more
modern Mufician is faid to have driven Erze King of Denmark,
into fuch a Rage, as to kill his beft Servants. "The Occafion was
thus—The King willing to make Trial in his own Perfon, whe-
ther a Mufician fpoke true, who boafted, that by virtue of his Mu-
fick, be could make People mad: The Artift play’d, and the King
became outragious, and experienced the Truth of it fo thoroughly,
that in the Excefs of his Rage, he kill’d fome of his beft Friends |].
Tuis may be owing to the Impreffion made by the Vibra-
tions of the Air, being carried as far as the Origin of the Nerves,
pafles into the Soul, and puts the animal Spirits into a sapid Mo-
tion, determines them to run into different Nerves, diffufed thro’
: different
* Quibufdam viperarum morfibus cantus tibiarum aut fidicinum atque alia or-
gana artis mufice modulare adhibita aptiffime mederi. Alexander ab Alexand....
Genialium, lib. ii cap. xvii. p.81. The Title is, Quod Theophraftus fenfit quibuf-
dam Viperarum mor fibus tibicines mederi, probatum experimentum. Baglivi Diilert.i.
de Tarent. cap. Xiii.
+ De Legibus.
t Qui Phreneticas mente imminuta, & valetudine animi affectos, nulla re magis
quam iymphonia, & vocum concentu, & modulis refipifcere, & fanitati reftnui
cenfuit. lex. ab lex. lib. II. cap. xvii. p. 81.
\| Father Reguanlt’s Conver/. trom Repub. des Lez. p. 264.
Ol SE RIP ENG DS:
different Parts of the Body, and is communicated to thofe Nerves,
according as it finds them more or lefs in Unifon.... Hence the
Paffions and Madnefs itfelf. Ibid.
_ In Mufick are different Taftes, which feems to proceed from
the different Conftitutions of the Fibres or the animal Spirits: The
Fibres of the auditory Nerves are differently difpofed in different
Perfons, and in the fame Perfon at diverfe Times; but generally
fpeaking, Mufick infpires more pleafing Sentiments. e.
A CERTAIN famous French Phyfician being ill, fell into a
violent Delirium, after fome Days Illnefs of a continued Fever :
the third Day of his Delirium, I know not by what Inftina,
(fays the Learned Father Regnau/t) made him defire a Concert of
Mu/ick ; upon which, they play’d, and fung to him the Songs of
M. Bernier * : Scarcely had he heard the firit Notes, but his Eyes
were calm; a Serenity was fpread all over his Countenance, the
Convulfions ceafed, and he wept thro’ Excefs of Pleafure , he was
free from his Fever all the time of the Concert, but whenever they
ceafed finging, he relapfed into his former Condition: They fail’d
not to continue fo marvellous a Remedy, which always fufpended
his Indifpofition. In fhort, after ten Days mufical Entertainment,
he was reftored to his former Health. | Ibid,
ANOTHER Inftance, isa Dancing-Mafter of Alazsin France,
who had the fame Fate in the Year 1708; after a Fever of about
four Days, and a long Lethargy, he fell into a Delirium, both
mad and dumb. One of his Friends took his Violin, and plaid to
him thofe Airs he was moft accuftom’d to: People thought at farft,
that the Player was as mad as the Patient; but, in a fhort ame!
the fick Man raifed himfelf upright in his Bed, with the Air of
a Man agreeably furpriz’d.... All his Motions difcover’d the
Pleafure he felt: Soon after he fell into a deep Sleep, and the
Crifis he had during his Sleep, perfeéted his Cure, bid.
One Reafon of this ftrange Operation might be this, viz.
The Sound of the Inftrument agitates the Fibres, efpecially thofe
that are in Unifon, by that means brings to his Remembrance a-
greeable Perceptions .. fets the animal Spirits going, and reftores
them to their natural Courfe: Thefe Spirits being moved, run in-
to the Nerves and Mufcles, where they have been ufed to run,
in order to form the Motion of certain Airs; the Pafflages of the
Blood
* Father Regn. from Hift. of the Royal Academy iz France.
p59
100
A NATURAL HISTORY
Blood thereby become more free: Hence that ferene Air diffufed
all of a fudden over the Face of the fick Mufician, who was
cured by the Charms of his own Art.
Tuese two Inftances are quoted by the Learned Dr. Nieu-
wentyt, who fays, both of them (the Mufician and Dancing-
Matter) were perfectly reftored to their Senfes by Mufick, He
alfo obferves, that the Wound given by the Tarantula can only
be cured by the Sound of Mufick, of which different Airs and
Tunes mutt be play’d, acording to the different Nature and Co-
lour of thofe Tarantula’s that have given the Wound*. Then
adds ;
Tuat the famous Sfalzan Mufician, Angelo Vital had te-
lated to him the following Story, and affured him of the Truth of
it, wz.
THAT a certain Player on the Flute at Venice had boatted,
that by his playing, he could deprive the Hearers of the Ufe of
their Underftanding: Whereupon he was fent for by the Doge,
who. was a Lover of Mufick, and commanded to put his Art in
practice before him; where, after having play’d fome time very
finely, (and to the Amazement of the Hearers) he at laft begun
a mournful Tune, with a Defign, as far as he was able, to put
the Doge into a melancholy Humour ; and prefently, he ftruck
up a jovial one, to difpofe him to Mirth and Dancing ; and after
having repeated thefe two kind of Tunes feveral times by turns,
the Doge being no longer able to endure thofe different Emotions,
which he felt in his Soul, he was ordered to forbear playing any
longer. Ibid. p.271.
FROM the Account given of Concords and Difcords in Mu-
fick, a Reafon may be formd why two Strings of a Viol, that are
Unifons or Oétaves one to another, if one be firuck the other will
tremble, fo as to be vifibly perceived.
What is this Unifon? In Mufick, Union is a Confonance of
two Sounds, produced by two Strings, or other Bodies of the fame
Matter, Length, Thicknefs, and Tenfion, equally ftruck, and
at the fame Time, fo that they yield the fame Tone or Note.
Others define it, the Union of two Sounds, fo like each other, that
the Ear perceiving no Difference, receives them as one and the
fame Sound.
WHAT
* Religious Philofopbe’, vol. 1. Contempl. xiii. Sect. 270.
OF SERPENTS.
WHAT conftitutes Unifonance, is the Equality of the Num-
ber of Vibrations: Unifon is the firft and greateft of Concords.
Others fay, it is only that in Sounds which Unity is in Numbers.
Be1Ne once in a Room where there was a _ Ba/s-Viol, and
ftriking one of the Strings, a loofe Quarry of Glafs in the
Window, jarr’d every time that String was ftruck, which it wou’d
not do upon ftriking any of the other difcordant Strings. The
Reafon may be, viz. That the times of the Vibration of the
loofe Quarry, were equal or near Concordance to thofe of the
String. A Gentleman of my Acquaintance, when he founded a
particular Tone on the Bafs-Viol, very plainly heard the Noife
of the Glafs of the Clock in his Chamber, which Glafs never
moved, upon his founding any other Tone..... It is a general
Remark, that an Uni/on-String will receive the Motion, and fo
tremble, when another Unifon is made to found; and yet all other
Strings of the fame Inftrument, that are not Unifons, fhall remain
filent and unmoved.
Mvs1cx does not only exert its Force on the Paffions and
AffeGtions, and mufical Inftruments, but on the Parts of the hu-
man Body alfo. Witnefs the Ga/fcoigne-Knight, (mention’d by
Mr. Boyle) who could not contain his Water, at the playing of
a Bag-pipe: The Woman, mention’d by the fame Author, who
would burft out in Tears, at the hearing of acertain Tune, with
which other People were but little affected : And in this County,
near Rochdale, there is a certain Man, who-can’t forbear dancing,
if in a Houfe, or Market, upon hearing a certain Tune fung.
WoNDER not at the ftrange Effeéts of mufical Sounds, when
other Sounds ftrangely affect the Mind. How are the Paffions
excited by the Sound of a Drum and the Difcharge of Canons....
Not only human Minds and Bodies are afteéted by the Impreffion
of Sounds, but even Things without Life.
KIRCHER tells us of a large Stone that would tremble at
the Sound of one particular Organ-Pipe. Mer/enne alfo tells us,
of a particular part of a Pavement that would fhake and tremble,
as if the Earth would open, when the Organs play’'d. Mr. Boyle
adds, that Seats will tremble at the Sound of Organs, that he has
felt his Hat do fo under his Hand, at certain Notes, both of
rgans and Difcourfe ; and that he was well inform’d, every well-
built Vault, would anfwer fome determinate Note.
ay) We
163
A NATURAL HISTORY
We may obferve the like mechanic Perception in feveral
empty Drinking-Glafles, of fine white Metal. Thus if we caufe
the Strings of a mufical Inftrument to be ftretched to a certain
Tone or Note, it would make one of the Glaffes ring, and not the
other ; nor would the Sound of the fame String, tuned to another,
fenfibly affect the fame Glafs. Morboff mentions one Petter, a
Dutchman, who could break Rummer-Glaffes with the Tone of
his Voice. ‘The fame, I think, is faid of Purcel.
WHEN two Viols are tuned in Unifon, one of them being
touch’d, the other will anfwer, tho’ at fome diftance. This is a
noble Proof of an harmonious Creation : This Unifon looks like
a more pure fort of fympathifing that is found in all the Crea-
tures, when thofe of the fame Species flock together.
HERE give me leave to obferve, that all Nature is as it were
a Syftem of divine Mufick, and delightful Harmony ; or, in the
facred Language, a Poem which is a Work of Skill, curious and
polite, lofty and fublime; in which Numbers and Meafures are
exactly obferved. Under this Idea of a Poem the old and new
Creation are reprefented.
THE invifible things of him from the Creation of the World are
clearly feen, being underftood by the things that are made, 71s manyacs™,
Poems that are made. The Creation is, as it were, a Poem in
the Sublime: Every Species of created Beings is a Stanza, and
every individual Creature, a Verfe in it, as a certain learned Di-
vine expreffes it. Creation here is not ftiled ‘py, which is a
Work of manual Labor, but tone +t, a Work of Skill; not fo
much the Operation of the Hand, as of the Head and Heart :
No Creature fo {mall and mean, but glitters with a Beam of di-
vine Skill.
So the new Creation is ftil’d a Poem....We are bis Workman-
foip in Chrift Fefus, Eph. ii. 10. In the Greek, we are bis Poem
in Chrift fefus.
As for the feveral Moods, which, in mufical Compofition,
were obferved by the Antients, for moving particular Paffions,
there is a remarkable Fragment of Dz@mon the Mufician, men-
tioned by 4ri/tides in Plutarch. ‘This is fuppofed to be that kind
of Mufick ufed by David and Eli/ha, asa Prefcription to remove
mental Diforders; and may fuppofe to point at the Original i
the
* ros roymach Rom. i, 20. + Avzs yap eoner rou’. Eph. ii. 10.
OCFMS|E R PRIN AS.
the Pagans curing Difeafes of the Body and Mind by inftrumen-
tal Mutick.
Ir’s faid, when an ev7! Spirit from God was upon Saul,
David took a Harp and play’d with bis Hand, fo Saul was re-
Srefoed, and was well, and the evil Spirit departed from him.
I Sam. Xvi. 23.
- .... AND Ehjha faid to feboram, King of Ifrael...Wereit
not that I regard the Prefence of the King of ‘fudab, I would not look
towards thee, but now bring me a Minfirel. And it came to pafs
when the Minftrel play'd, that the Hand of the Lord came upon him.
2 Kings ili, 13,—15.
It is obfervable here, that the Mind of Eij/ba the Prophet
was very much ruffled; now, under this Difcompofure, he calls
for a Minftrel, not out of Levity, but for a religious End; and
that was, to compofe his Mind, and to bring it into a ferene and
fedate Frame, and thereby to prepare himfelf for divine Exer-
cifes; or perhaps, a devout Levite, well fkill’d in mufical Per-
formances, might play before him, and intermix with it, Pfalms
and {piritual Songs, according to the Conftitutions of thofe
Times.
Asthe Prophets might indifpofe themfelves for the Spirit of
Prophecy, fo they were to ufe Means to difpofe themfelves for
the Impulfes of the Holy Spirit; and for this End the School of
the Prophets was appointed, in which the Students were trained
up 7m the Science of Mufick, in ftritt Virtue, Self-denial, Contempt
of worldly Grandeur, Knowledge of the Law, &c. Thefe Schools
were Seminaries of Religion, in which the intended Guardians of
the Spirituality were inftru€ted, and prepared to receive the ex-
traordinary Gifts of the Spirit.
WE read how the Indians performed their Worfhipby dancing
to Songs, the Priefts of Cybele with Cymbals, the Curetes with
Drums and Trumpets, the Romans fung Spondaic Ver/es, while
they offer’d their Sacrifices; the mufical Sound that calm’d the
Paffions (confifting of Spondees principally) Ari/fotle calls moral ;
(to diftinguifh it from the Dzatonic and Phrygian) from whence
the Cuftom might be derived. When the Spartans went to War,
they march’d to the Sound of Flutes, to animate the Soldiers ;
as is now done by Drum and Trumpet, to leffen the Terror of
Death.
Miz THE
163
164
A NATURAL HISTORY
THE Antients having related wonderful Things done by Mufick
in their days, by which Difeafes were fufpended, the Sick reftored ...
I fhall make a fhort Inquiry into the Reafons of it. Tho the Re-
port be firange, and in fome degree hyperbolical, yet fome Account
may be given of the ‘furprizing Effects of Mufick, and is attempted
by the learned Dr. Willis, (among others; ) a Hint of which I
fhall add here, to what was obferved before upon the Subject.
REASONS (or rather Conjectures) for Medicinal Cures
by MUSICK.
I, HAT Mufick, if not new, was in thofe Days a rare
thing, which the Vulgar, on whom ’tis reported to
have mighty Effects, had fcarce heard any before, and on whom
a little Mufick will do great Feats, as we now find a Bag-pipe at
a Morris-Dance.
If. AnrrentT Mufick was much more fimple and plain than
ours now, having only one fingle Voice or Inftrument apart,
which to arude Ear is much more taking, than compound Mu-
fick ; the former not exceeding their Capacity, whereas a Concert
of Mufick confounds them quite, and ’tis by no means diftin-
guifhable by them, fo as to affect them with the Harmony of its
Parts.
Ill. Musick, with the Antients, was of a much larger Ex-
tent than what we now call by that Name; for Poetry, and
Dancing or graceful Motion, were then counted part of Mufick,
when it had arrived to fome degree of Perfection: And we fee
that Vere alone, if in good Meafure and moving Words, fang by
an agreeable Voice, with foft inftrumental Mufick, will work
ftrangely on the Ear, and move all AffeCtions {uitable to the Tune
and Ditty... efpecially if attended with proper Geftures and Aéti-
ONSSEALIS « Thus fuitable Acting on the Stage, gives great Life to
the Words *.
IF
* Lowzhorp’s Abridg. yal. i. p. 638.
OF SERPENTS.
Ir a deliberate pathetick Reading of a well-penn’d Romance,
will ftrike the Paffions, and produce Mirth, Tears, Joy, Grief,
Pity, Wrath, Indignation, fuitable to the refpective Intents of it;
much more would it fo do, if accompanied with all thofe At-
tendants.
Ir it be afk’d, Why may not all this be done now? I anfwer,
No doubt but it may, if the Addrefs be made in proper Words,
emphatically fpoken, with agreeable Voice, attended with a de-
cent Gefture ; and all thefe adjufted to the Paflion and Temper of
the Mind, particularly defign’d to be produced, (be it Joy, Grief,
Pity, Courage, Indignation) will certainly now, as well as then,
produce great Effe€ts upon the Mind, efpecially upon a Surprize,
and where Perfons are not otherwife pre-engaged. Ibid.
Tue Antients had the Art of exciting this or that particular
Paflion of the Mind, the Tunes being fuitably adapted to fuch
Defigns ; whereas thofe now are almoft quite neglected in our mo-
dern Mufick.
Tue Chromatick Genus*, with its greater and leffler Semz-
Tones, either afcending or defcending, is very proper for the Pa-
thetick in Mufick; as is alfo an artful Management of Difcords,
with a Variety of Motions; now brifk, now languifhing; now
{wift, now flow. The Venetian Mufician before-mentioned,
excell’d in the Pathetick to that degree, that he was able to play
any of his Auditors into Di/ffraétion ... The great Means he made
ufe of, was the Varzety of Motions.
Even little Children, when crying, are charm’d and quieted
by a jingling Sound, a Shadow of Mufick. In fhort, Mufick at-
tends the Man to his Grave, where Elegies were formerly fung in
Honour of the Deceafed: Thus the Phenicians added Flutes to
their Mournings, and the Romans had their Sticines, that is, thofe
who fung to a Pipe, or blow’d the Trumpet at their Funerals,
a Cuftom not yet entirely abolifh’d among the antient Britons and
fome Parts of England, who, when they take up the Corps, fing
Pfalms before it all the way to Church; a common Practice
about feventy Years ago: So far I can charge my Memory.
We are not without modern Inftances of Perfons extraordi-
narily affected by the Powers of Mufick, as appears from our O-
_ pera’s, and the very particular Devotion paid to the Fartnell’s
the
* Chroma in Mufick, is the graceful way of Singing-
165
166
A NATURAL HISTORY, &.
the Age, and to Italian Mufick, difplay’d in Temples as well as
on the Stage, the firft Erection of which was intended for the
Honour and Defence of Virtue.
T u& Laconians were wont at the Death of their King to tinkle
a Caldron, inftead of a Bell: Yea, the Yews had their Minftrels
at Funerals; for, at the raifing to Life the Daughter of Fazrus,
tis faid, the Mufczans were commanded to troop off, Mazth. ix.
Before the Roman Funerals, a Trumpeter went, follow’d by the
Prefice, 7.e. old Women, finging Songs in Praife of the Deceafed.
Tuus we have had a general View of Serpents, their Poifon
and Cure; and a particular Account of Perfons wounded by the
Tarantula, and cured by Mufick; the Effeéts of which mufical
Operation, have paft for Miracles ; for, by means of it, dangerous
Diftempers have been cured, Infurrections quelled, Pafiions calm’d
and raifed, even to Diftraétion and Madnefs.
ANTIENTLY all Laws, Exhortations to Knowledge and
Virtue, and Lives of illuftrious Men, were written in Verfe, and
publickly fung by a Chorus to the Sound of mufical Inftruments,
which was found a moft effectual way to imprefs Morality. So
much for Serpents in particular.
N.B. In the Defcription of fome Serpents by different Au-
thors, ’tis difficult to know whether they mean the fame, or ano-
ther; fome having the fame Defcription with different Names,
and fome different Defcription with the fame Name. Another
Miftake may arife from fome Difference in the fame Serpent, in
different Climates, as in Situation (JV. or S.) and Size.
167
=! YYEIIIIOIa0w—’
» fy i ]
WVEZZ EN
LL oN
NATURAL HISTORY
OF
Sabir E NTS >
BA eRe Gr
Containing Six DissERTATIONS..
}. Upon the Primeval Serpent. \\ V. Reafons of that monftrous
I]. Fiery Serpent. Worfhip ;
Ill. The Brazen Serpent. VI. And for the Adoration of
IV. Adoration of Serpents. different Animals.
©) Et AY Ps uk
ConTENTs. Various Sentiments about the Primeval Serpent :
Some fay, "twas a real Serpent ; others fay, the Paffage 1s alle=
gorical. Some make the Serpent to be Pleafure ; others the Devil
in the Natural Serpent. Reafons why Adam was not made be-
yond a Capacity of Sinning. Our firft Parents arm’d with fuf-
ficient Power to fiand: They knew no Enemy. Satan a compleat
Orator. The Fatal Surrender. Satan's triumphant Return from
Eden. Ser pent’s Head and Subtility. Intercourfe between the
Angelick and Human World. A Plea for our firft Mother. Why
Mofes
168
A NATURAL HISTORY
Mofes zntroduces a fpeaking Serpent. Method of Divine Govern-
ment. Satan's View. Reafons why Adam was created in a State
of Trial. A ftrong Negative, fufficient to put the Tempter te
fight. The Paradifaical Law guarded by the moft powerful
Sanction. The Opinion of Pagans and Mahometans about the
Fall of Adam, &c. Why Satan punifh’d under a vifible Figure,
viz. Serpent. Chrift’s Death publifh’'d, before Sentence of Death
paft upon Adam. The Earth, a fecondary Paradife. Moral
Reflection.
HE Manner of Sin’s firft Entrance into our World, is in-
{crutable : The Subject is an Article of Lamentation, an
Article that conduéts us to Paradife indeed, but ’tis to Paradi/é
oft; whence date the fatal Aira of all human Calamities. There,
there in a blifsful Field; Sin, the Plague of Hell, made its firft
Appearance on Earth: but as to the Mode of its Introdudtion,
there is a Spread of impenetrable Darknefs over the Face of that
great Deep; after the moft critical Difquifitions about it, the Dif=
ficulty remains unfolvable.
Men of Letters may give their Conjectures, but it feems to be
one of thofe fecret ‘Things which belongs to him who is unfearch-
able, and whofe ways-are paft finding out ; therefore we fhould ra-
ther think, how to get Sin out of the World, than bow it came in at
jirft: The one would only prove what our Underftandings could
do, but the other would declare our Hearts, what they ought to be.
Wau AT this Serpent was, that triumph’d in Paradife, has been
a Subject of long Debate, and the Learned are not yet agreed in
their Verdiét.about it. I fhall firft lay down their various Opi-
nions, and then give my own Conjectures.
Amone the ‘ews, fome took it for a real, natural Serpent,
and did believe, it was endued with the Gift of Speaking ; but be-
caufe it deceived the Woman, was condemn’d to lofe its vocal
Tongue, to go upon zts Belly, and feed upon Duft *.
OTHERS, who, not allowing the Privilege of Speech to a
Brute, have turn’d the Mo/aic Hiffory of Paradite into an Allegory,
an Afflemblage of Metaphors, or figurative Documents. ‘Thus a
certain learned “few fays, the Serpent, that feduced the Woman,
was Pleafure; and forbidden Pleafure, when tafted, brought forth
Death +. But
* Fofeph. Anti. cap. i. + Philo Fud. de Mundi Opif.
4.
OF SERPENTS.
Bu T if this was the Cafe, could the be fo properly faid to be
‘tempted by another, as to tempt herfelf? He adds, the Curfe of
‘the Serpent is not only to go upon its Breaft, but, and thou halt
go upon thy Belly. q.d. ‘* Since Pleafure was thy Defire, let the
“« Pleafure of the Earth enter into ir. The Belly, fays the /lego-
“ rizer, is the Receptacle of moft Pleafures of the Animal Kind.”
Creatures that go upon four Feet, or more, are deem’d impure ;
and fuch is he, who is a Lover of terrene Pleafures; fuch a Per-
fon may be faid, always to go upon his Belly, becaufe he ftudies
nothing more than its Gratification. Pleafure indeed, is attended
with a Train of Allurements and Charms. Yarguin’s violent Pur-
fuit of forbidden Pleafure, terminated, not only in the Ruin of
his Houfe, but Extirpation of Monarchy : Cra/us King of Lydia
being conquer’d by Cyrus King of Perfia, gave the Conqueror this
Advice, If you would have the Lydanus be your obedient Slaves,
make them S/aves to Pleajfire.
Nor is Philo alone in making the Serpent a Symbol of Plea-
fure, for Maimonides and others expound thofe hiftorical Paffages
in the fame manner; afking, Why fhould that Serpent be call’d a
fubtle Beaft, if it were not in a figurative Senfe? In favour of
this Expofition, he quotes feveral Paffages out of the Prophets,
that are allow’d to be intirely allegorical * ; and then adds, that
in Mofes’s fournal of the Creation, all things therein are not to be
underftood literally --. One of the moft learned Fathers feems
inclined to this Philonick Interpretation of Mojes t. It is obferva-
ble, that in reality, “twas not the Plea/ure of Eating which
tempted the Woman, but an anxious Dejfire of greater Wifdom ;
which fhews a more refined Tafte in Eve, and overthrows. the
Hypothefis of Phz/o and Clemens.
Some Rabbinical Writers fay, the Devil that deluded the Wo-
man, came mounted upon a Serpent, in Bulk equal to a Camel,
and known by the Name Sammael, an Evil Angel ; called alfo by
them, the Angel of the Dead, Prince of the aerial Region, and
Chief of the Demons. Other Rabbies look upon him as the
169
Prince of Angels; and believe, he is to prefide at the laft Judg- -
ment ; for which Reafon, they make him Offerings on the Day
Z of
* More Nevochim, cap. xxix. + Ibid. p. 265, & 272.
t Clem. Alexandrinus, who flourifh’d in the fecond Age, Obs aarayyorsrrai—ndovy-
Edit. col. p. 65. A,B. 4. D. 1688.
5
170
A UNA TURAL IES T ORY
of folemn Expiation, to appeafe his Indignation*. Tis faid,
this Serpent eat the forbidden Fruit and did not die for it; the
Woman inferred fhe might alfo eat, and not die.
OTueERs there are, who will not allow the feducing Serpent
to be an Animal, but the Devil himfelf in that Shape, who there-
fore in the facred Writings is called the great Dragon, old Ser-
pent, and Murderer from the Beginning. And fome are of Opi-
nion, he borrowed the Body of a real Serpent, which he made
ufe of, asa Vehicle, thro’ which he inftilled Poifon into the Wo-
man’s Mind: And if fo, what occafion to fay the Serpent was more
fubtle than any Beaft ?——Since the grand Enemy in tempting
Eve, did not ufe the Craft of the Serpent, but his own Cunning,
in the Management of that cruel Stratagem.
T 40s £. who are not pleafed with fuch Ratiocinations, fatisfy
themfelves with this, vz. That our firft Parents, in whofe Loins
we were, tranfgreft, and made a Forfeiture of Paradife for them-
felves and Defcendants; but the manner how they fell is not ob-
vious, nor to be accounted for, ina State of Imperfection.
IF it be afk’d, Why did not the divine Goodnefs put our firft
Parents beyond a Capacity of finning? ’tis anfwer’d,
Tuat Mutability 7s effential to all Creatures, as fach, in all
their Kinds: In this mutable State our firft Parents were created,
holy and happy: Life and Death were fet before them ; they had
freedom of Choice, a free-will to ufe the Powers of Nature as they
pleafed that is, they were made in a State of Liberty, with a
Power to determine for themfelves, whether to abide or not in
that glorious Situation. So that if there be a Difficulty in account-
ing for the Fall, there is as great a one in fuppofing a reafonable
moral Creature uncapable of Choice: for where there is no Choice,
there can be no Virtue ; and where there is no Virtue, there can
be no Happinefs.
AGAIN, Adam-and Eve were arm d with a fuficient Power
to land, being created after the divine Image pure and upright,
without Error in their intelle€tual Powers; therefore if they mif-
took the Object, or were impofed upon, ’twas not for want of
Light in the Mind, but want of Application of that Light, which
was in their power.... Which Light told them, the Tree of Life
planted in Paradife, was to perpetuate their Lives; and that the
Tree
* Calmet inVerbum. Rab. Benach iz Genef. iii.
: OF SERPENTS.
Tree that had the Marks of Death upon it, would do them no
harm, but by doing their own Will, or the Will of any other in
~oppofition to his fovereign Will who had faid, Eat not.
Tuey were created pure, and capable of Perfeverance ; and
when they fell, God did not withdraw any Gift he had conferred
upon them: He did all that was neceflary on his Part for their Pre-
fervation, and they had remain’d fafe, if their Liberty had but
conduéted itfelf aright : Their Liberty was not tied to any parti-
cular Object, as their Faculties were, but refpected every thing
that could be done, or left undone, and it might have imploy’d
them after another manner.
Ir’s faid, Out of the Ground made the Lord God to grow every
Tree that is pleafant to the Sight, and good for Food; and the Tree
of Knowledge of Good and Evil, of which thou fhalt not eat. Gen.
u. 9, 17. Now, where lay the Difficulty of xot eating, when
they were in no want of Food? And if in want, were not all
the Fruits of Paradife prepared for them? Why would none ferve
but what was prohibited? And nothing prohibited but what was
deadly Poifon, and what Adam knew to be fo, by immediate
Revelation from Heaven.
Tus furnifh’d with divine Armour, and all the agreeable En-
tertainments of Life, ‘tis moft furprizing how they fhould indulge
an irregular Turn in the animal Paflions, and give way to fuch
Inadvertency. One thing that might lead them to this Overfight,
probably was, that they knew of no Enemy, therefore dreaded zo
Danger. But this Plea is of no force; for their Bufinefs was
ftrictly to regard the Voice of their Creator (who faid, Eat not)
and not to give heed to any contrary Infinuations, tho’ propofed
by a known Friend, much lefs by a Stranger, one of another
Kingdom, and of another Species, without fufficient Atteftation.
Here Lucifer play’d the Orator: He gave his Argument all
the Rhetorick it would bear, by removing their fear of Death,
and gratifying in-them a certain Hope of bezng Gods. The Wo-
man had the Threatning of Death in her Thoughts, and there-
fore dur{t not eat till fhe was made to believe, /he fhould not die ;
(by which it appears, the had dreadful Ideas of dying.) And
thus fhe was tempted to Unbelief: Then Satan propofes the glo-
rious Advantages of Hating, viz. Ye fhall be as Gods .... be inde-
pendent Beings, not fubject to the Controul of a fupsrior Power ;
Lin 2 and
171
A NATURAL HISTORY
and thus they were tempted to Pride. Unbelief and Pride were
the two fatal Rocks, on which their Innocence was wreck’d.
Thus our firft Parents fell, not for want of Light, but for extin=-
guifhing it; not for want of Power, but for not ufing it in the
Hour of Danger.
Tue Enemy having made his Conqueft, might probably con-
tinue for fome time in Eden, to affift the Woman in feducing her
Hufband, and then confirm them in their Apoftacy, directing
them, upon the Approach of an Enemy, to hide themfelves a-
mong the Trees of the Garden, where he left them; upon which
he return’d to his Kingdom in the Air, to publith his fuccefsful
Atchievements in Paradife, and was no more heard of, till he was
fummon’d to the Bar.
Tu £ Devil’s principal Refidence is in the Air, where he keeps
his Court, from whence he fends out his Angels to fecure and en-
large his Conquefts. Perhaps, he may think it not confiftent
with the Dignity of fo great a Prince to traverfe the Earth in
Perfon, unlefs it be upon fome extraordinary Occafions, as that
of tempting the firft and fecond Adam, &c.
T HE next Thing that offers itfelf, is an Attempt to illuftrate
the Cafe between the Woman and Serpent: It feems moft appa-
rent to me, that under the Name of the Serpent, we are to un=
derftand the Devil, who made ufe of a real Serpent in his Defcent
upon Paradife, where he decoy’d the firft Woman into the fatal
Snare.
In the Curfe upon the Serpent, ’tis faid, the Seed of the Wo-
man fhould break the Serpent’s Head ; intimating, the Serpent hav-
ing its Heart under the Throat, and very near the Head, the rea-
dieft way to kill it, is to fqueeze the Head. Some of the Fathers
bring four Proofs of the Serpent’s Wifdom ; trite and common.
1. WHEN ’tis old, it has the Secret of growing young again,
by ftripping off its old Skin, which is fucceeded by a new Coat;
but if it parts with its outward Garments, it retains its Poifon.
Herein it is refembled by thofe, who leave the outward Acts of
Sin, but not their fecret Regards for it.
2. Tue Serpent aflaults a Man if he fees him naked, but flies
if it finds him cloathed. But there is a Fault in this Paffage of
Epiphanius, who intends to fay the contrary; for “tis generally
afirm’d,
OF SERPENTS.
affirm’d, that the Serpent is afraid of a naked Man, but attacks
him if he has Clothes on.
3. WHEN the Serpent is affaulted, its chief Care is to fecure
its Head: ’Tis attefted by many Writers, that to fave the Head,.
it will expofe the whole Body to Danger *.
4. WHEN it goes todrink, it vomits up all its Poifon, for
fear of poifoning itfelf. Some have defended this, but without
any Colour of Reafon +.
Tuey relate other Inftances of the Serpent’s Wifdom, as ftop-
ping its Ears, that it may not hear the Voice of the Charmer or
Inchanter ; of which the P/a/mif takes notice. ’Tis faid, it ap-
plies one of its Ears hard to the Ground, and ftops up the other
with the end of its Tail, P/a/. lviii. 4. Others fay, its Wifdom
confifts in Acutenefs of Sight ; therefore among the Greeks, a Ser-
pent’s Eye was a proverbial Speech for one of a quick Underftand-
ingf. Thefe are fome of the common Reafons affigned for the
Wifdom of the Serpent..
I Now proceed to an Illuftration: of the Debate between the
Woman and Serpent in Paradife, under three Heads.
I. WHY may not we fuppofe, that in the Infancy of Mankind
there was an open Intercourfe between the angelick and human World,
and that Angels might appear to our firft Parents in fome vifible
Form, as afterwards they did to the Patriarchs? If this be not
granted, I would afk how a fallen Angel came to know there was
a Paradife, and a certain Tree whofe Fruit was forbidden, and
where that Tree was fituated in the Garden ?
WHEN a certain Province of Angels rebelled, they were
doom’d to the wide Space contiguous to our Globe, and by their
daily Rovings from Place to Place, they might indeed difcover
that little Spot of Earth, called Paradife ; but how came they to
be acquainted with the Laws of that Country, and that there was
a forbidden Tree, and where it grew? How, I fay, could they
know all this without Revelation, or previous Converfation with
the Inhabitants of the Place? i
* O dgus Quaarle: xeDaryv. IGodor. Pelufiot.. lib.i. p..126.
+ Calmet’s Dittion, of the H. Bible, vo). iii. out of Epiphansus.
T Odews Gupac
173
174
A NATURALS AIS T ORY
Il. 1F there had been no former Acquaintance between Angels
and our firft Parents, how came the Woman to converfe fo freely
with a Stranger fhe had never feen before, one of another Country,
and of a different Species? ’Tis therefore probable, that when the
Devil addreft the Woman, and that in her own Language, he
might affume the Form of a good Angel, that Form in which
Angels had difcourfed with our firft Parents before the Fall.
Aw p perhaps when Angels, the Meffengers of Heaven, con-
verfed with ddam and Eve, it might be in the Shape of flying
fpeaking Serpents. Without allowing this mutual Intercourfe,
and former Familiarity, we can’t well fuppofe that our firft Pa-
rents, tho’ not furnifh’d with fo much Knowledge as is ufually
afcribed to them, would be conquer’d by a Demon in the Shape
of a Serpent, which naturally is a Beaft of the Field, and known
to be fo by Adam, who, but alittle before, had enrolled it among
his Subjects, and given it a fignificant Name.
CAN we imagine our firft Parents fo ftupid, as to hold a Con-
verfation with a Beaft, without Surprize, Jealoufy, and Sufpicion?
Adam, who knew the Properties of inferior Animals, (to whom
he had given proper Names a little before) could not but know,
that the Serpent was a Beajf, and had no Organs fitted for the
Formation of articulate Sounds, much le{s a Power to fix proper
Ideas to them, and fupport an Argument by arguing the Cafe ina
rational manner. Could 4dam, who was the Image of Ged upon
Earth, hear a Brute fpeak and difpute in the Language of Para-
dife, without a Sufpicion of Impofture or fomething ominous?
Du rine the Woman’s Parley with theSerpent, 4dzm is fup-
pofed to be abfent, perhaps thro’ Satan’s Management, and upon
her reprefenting to him at their next meeting, the Converfation
fhe had with the Serpent, he muft conclude that Serpent to be a
grand Cheat, or a good Angel, that {poke to his Wife: and that
he took it in the latter Senfe, is plain from the Event; that is, his
taking the forbidden Fruit, and eating thereof upon the Serpent’s
Recommendation of it to his Wife, who found no ill Effect from
her Compliance. Now, the Tempter having affur'd the Woman
that her eating that Fruit would not bring Death, and 4dam find-
ing it to be true in Faét, that is, that fhe did eat and live after it,
concluded he might eat with equal Safety.
8 Upon
OF SERPENTS.
Upon this Suppofition, we may charitably infer, that fince
our firft Mother might converfe with Angels in that ferpentine,
or fome other bright Form, fhe now converfes with the Serpent
without Scruple or Dread of Impofture. And as fhe apprehended
the Serpent to be a good and kind Spirit, fo Adam did, upon her
Reprefentation of the Matter, and took the forbidden Fruit, and
eat it: And perhaps the Serpent was prefent, giving Atteftation to
the Report made by the Woman to her Hufband.
Tuts being granted, ’tis conceivable how the Woman might
freely converfe with a Creature that aflum’d an Image {fo glorious,
efpecially if we confider fhe was in her infantile State, and with-
out any experimental Knowledge, or any Apprehenfion of Dan-
ger, from an Enemy, of which fhe had no Idea; being no Sin-
ner, fhe was without Fear.
In the Sentence paft upon Adam, there is one Claufe that feems
to corroborate this Hypothefis; for, upon the Exprlfion of our
firft Parents...the Gates of Eden were guarded by a Cherub (to
prevent their re-entrance) which, by the ews, was efteem’d a
Jfecond Angel, and may be aptly imagin’d to be a Seraph, or an
Angel in the Form of a flying Serpent, whofe Body vibrated in
the Air, with a peculiar Refplendency, and may be fitly defcrib’d
by the Image of fuch a Sword. Tis faid,) God drove out the Man,
and placed at the Eaft-end of the Garden of Eden, Cherubims and a
flaming Sword, which turned every way, “to keep the Way of the
Tree of Life, Gen. iii. w/t. God made Angels Guardians of Pa-
radife, and a fparkling Fire, like a flaming Sword ; fays the Ara-
bick Verfion.
BuT why may not this Text bear an Interpretation pregnant
with good Tidings, as an Explication of the Promife made to the
Woman, that is, an Inftru€tion to our firft Parents how to wor-
fhip God after the Fall, namely by Sacrifice, which was to be of-
fer’d by them before the Cherudbims (ereted over the Gates of
Paradife) as Sacrifices afterwards were before the Cherubims in the
Tabernacle and Temple, or, as the Hebrew, before’ the Faces of
TF ebovah 2
Tue flaming Sword and the Cherubims, might be Emblems or
Figures of fome things to be obferved in the Form of Worfhip de-
fign’d for that new Difpenfation. The fiery Sword beinga killing
Weapon, might reprefent irritated Juftice; and Cherudims being
A. the
T7/5
A NATURAL HISTORY
the Inhabitation of the Deity in the Tabernacle and Temple,
might be an Emblem of Mercy, to which the Sacrifices were of-
fer'd : and may not Cherubims be fo conftrued here? N. B. May
we not date the firft Inftitution of Sacrifice here, which foon ap-
pear'd in the Hiftory of Caz and Abel?
Gop might addrefs our firft Parents after this manner; View
thefe wonderful Sights over the Gate, behold in them the Scheme
of Salvation! The Text thus interpreted, gives the Tempter a
frefh Mortification, to fee his bloody Defign defeated, and our
firft Parents reftored to Favour at the Gate of Eden, in which he
had triumph’d over them ; and that which encreafed his Vexation
was, to fee this done by Chrif, the promifed Seed, one of the hu=
man Race. -
In the Tabernacle and Temple there were no Reprefentations
of God, but only emblematical Figures erected over the Mercy-
Seat, called the Cherubims; in, or between them, the De7ty is
faid to dwell ; and the Law obliged the ews to bring the Blood
of the Sacrifice before the Face of God in the Cherubims, that is,
within the Vail, on the Day of Expiation: and here God might
direct our firft Parents to bring their Sacrifices to him, who was
in a f{pecial manner prefent in the Cherubims over the Gate.
But fuppofing Adam and Eve had, after their Expulfion, en-
ter’d Paradife; I don’t. fee what valuable End it would have an-
fwered, for the fpecial ®-omifes made to the firft Inhabitants of
Paradife were now null and void. All the Bleffings peculiar to
that glorious Situation, were irrecoverably loft. It was not in the
power of that once facred Seat to reinftate them in their priftine
Happinefs.
Oj. Coutp not the Tree of Life reftore their forfeited Com-
forts? I prefume not; becaufe the Tree of Life, in the Defign
of it, was to perpetuate the happy Life of innocent Man, and not
to reftore the Life and Comforts of Criminals under a Sentence
of Death ; a Sentence irrepealable, which even the Death of our
Bleffed Redeemer does not exempt us from.
Upon the whole, I can fcarcely think that thefe ftrange and
awful Sights or Figures, over the Eaft Gate of Eden, were only
to frighten our firft Parents, whofe diftreffed State ftood in need
of Divine Supports. To be caft out of Paradife was a Mortifica-
tion that needed not a fuper-added Terror; therefore to make
thofe
OF SERPENTS.
thofe Figures Spectacles of Horror, feems not fo well fuited to
Perfons under Circumftances fo inexpreflibly dolorous, tho’ re-
{tored to Favour ; but might rather be defign’d to conduct them
to God-by Chrz/?, the Tree of Life.
Ill. £T's very probable a Converfation had paft between the Wo-
man and Serpent before the Narrative publifh'd by Mofes. She
might upon the firft Approach of the Serpent afk, How a Beaft
acquired the Gift of Speaking, which is the Prerogative of Ra-
tionals? The Serpent might anfwer, That it was by Eating the
Fruit of that Tree. ve might urge, That God had forbid her
to eat that Fruit upon pain of Death. The Serpent might make
this Return, viz. What you fay is true; ’tis allow’d to be the
Law under the firft Form of Government, but Iam now come
from the fupreme Court, to give you Affurance of God’s kind
Intentions to advance you to a higher and more noble Station :
The Prohibition of this Fruit was only a probationary Reftraint,
and temporary. a,
Now the End of the firft Inftitution being anfwered, ’tis the
Will of our Great Sovereign to take off thofe Reftraints, and
make you a free People. Upon the Formation of your Being,
he brighten’d your Mind with Rays of great Wifdom; but now
the happy Moment is come, in which he purpofes to infpire you
with higher Degrees of Wifdom. ... By eating this Fruit, your
intelle€tual Powers will be infinitely enlarged; for, ye fhall be as
Gods, and then all the Endowments and Accomplifhments of Na-
ture will arrive at their full Perfe@tion, which as yet are only in
their Embryo. This being only a Suppofition, I difmifs it.
Tue Serpent having afcrib’d its Reafon, and Speech to the
eating of that Fruit, the Woman might infer, If this Fruit did
turn a Serpent into a rational Creature, why may it not tran{-
form a rational Creature intoa God, and a Woman into a Godde/s ?
The Serpent had no occafion to fay more ; fir’d with the Profpect
of fuch Preferment, fhe ‘ook the Fruit and did eat. Gen. iu. 6.
And when the Woman faw that the Tree was good for Food, pleafant
to the Eye, and a Tree to be defired to make one wife, fhe did eat.
N. B. How divine and delightful a Thing is Knowledge, of
which Innocency itfelf is ambitious! Eve thirfted after the highett
Degrees of Knowledge, and made no doubt of obtaining it by
Aa the
atid
178
A NATURAL HISTORY
the Serpent’s Inftructions; not knowing of any Impoftor, fhe be-
lieved what the Tempter faid. Satan, by the Serpent, as a Bait
propofed Improvement in Knowledge.
Taxus the firft Woman, Head of the human Race, feli a Sa-
crifice to her own Ambition, fell a Virgin, and in her Infant-
State. Icarus, by flying too near the Sun, his waxen Wings
melted, and he fell into the Sea, and was drowned. Juftly was
he punifh’d, for not obferving his Father's Will. May Ladd, in
favour of our Mother, that the Law forbidding that Fruit, was
not immediately publifh’d to Eve, but receiv’d at fecond-hand
from Adam; and that it can’t be well fuppofed, that fhe knew
the various Capacities and Qualities of Brutes, as her Hufband ~
did.
But, why does Mo/fes introduce a Serpent fpeaking, when
naturally it was a f{peechlefs Creature?
In anfwer to this, may we not obferve, that the Almighty,
who has no material Tongue, yet is often introduced, {peaking
with human Voice in the Scripture. The Egyptzans made the Cro-
codilea Symbol of the Deity, giving this as a Reafon why they
worfhipped God fymbolically in that Creature, becaufe it refem-
bled God, in that it was the only Animal without a Tongue;
for the Divine Ayes ftands in no need of Speech; he governs hu-
man Affairs without Words, and without Noife.
AGAtN, this Dialogue with the Serpent, a known Beaft, is
very agreeable to a Cuftom among the Oriental Writers, who en-
chafe their Hiftories with Ornaments taken from familiar Dif-
courfes between Beafts ; by which they conyey moral Inftructions
to their Readers: Thus; on a Subjeét of Craft, they made the
Fox to fpeak.
W1iTH what View did the Devil tempt our firft Parents to
fin? J anfwer, ’twas out of defpite to God ; z.e. with a defign
to rob the Creator of the Glory he propofed to himfelf from the
Erection of this new World: He could not attack the Almighty
on his Throne, therefore he {trikes at the Foot{tool. Since he
could not reach the Perfon of the Almighty, he wreaks his Ma-
lice upon his Imege, Man; Man, whofe Happinefs, and that of
his Defcendants, he envy’d; and whom, in particular he hated,
as his intended Succeflors to the vacant Seats in the blifsful Re-
gions above.
In
OF SERPENTS.
Tn his Plot againft Adam, the Deceiver was deceived; for he
made no doubt but the Sentence of Death would be immediately
executed upon Adam and Eve, and upon the Extinétion of the
human Species, God would lofe all his Honour upon Earth. Why
did not he appear to our firft Parents in a human Form? pro-
bably becaufe he might apprehend, that there was no other Man
or Woman, but themfelves,
Havinc confidered Adam in his probationary Capacity, I
fhall in the next place obferve thefe three Things, by way of
Iluftration,
I, IT was moft congruous that Man’s firft State fhould be a State of
Trial. \\. That bis Trial fhould be by the Laws of his Creator.
Ill. That thofe Laws fhould be inforced by a proper Sanétion.
I. IT was congruous and fit, our firft Parents fhould begin their
Life in a way of Trial, as they were moral Agents: In which Si-
tuation I apprehend all the Angels to be at firft, to fee how they
would behave towards the Great Author of their Being and Blef-
fednefs, before they were eftablifh’d. No Creature, as fuch, is
cipable of Immutability, any more than of Omnipotence. To
be naturally, and necefiarily immutable, is the fole Prerogative of
the Almighty: The perpetual Duration of created Beings, is not
from their Nature, but from the Divine Will.
Our firft Parents were under a {trong Guard, and not to be
difarm’d without their own Confent; tho’ the Devil, as he was a
Spirit, excelled in Power, yet he could not by Force fubdue the
weaker Vefiel, therefore conducted the bloody Defign by Strata-
gems. When the Woman was follicited by the Tempter, one
firong Negative would have put him to fizght. A refolute Denial,
without any other Means, would have made her victorious, tho’
affaulted by all the Legions of Hell; therefore, no room to com-
plain of Deficiency in Divine Goodnedfs.
ayy
’T1s beyond all doubt, that the Revelation given to Adam (as ©
that to Chriftian Churches in After-ages) made it a fundamental
part of his Duty, not to attend to any Infinuations contrary to
thofe delivered to him by his Creator, tho’ recommended even by
an Angel from Heaven: Temptaiions to forbidden Fruit, how-
Aa 2 pV ever
180
A NATURAL HISTORY
ever pleafant, fhould not be parley’d with, but peremptorily re-
jected.
IJ. IT was equally proper, that a Creature should be govern'd
by the Laws of his Creator ; as it implies a Contradiction for a
Creature to be independent, which it muft fuppofe itfelf to be,.
when govern’d by its own Laws. The Will of the Creator was
furely the fitteft, for the Obedience of Creatures; one part of
which was, that they muft not have an Indulgence of all the
Trees in Eden.
It follows hence, that Self-denial was a Duty in Paradife.
Adam was not an abfolute Sovereign to do what he pleafed, but
what his Almighty Creator and Patron prefcribed ; tho’ endowed
with Reafon, yet was he to govern himfelf by the Will of ano-
ther, that is, of him who was the Donor. His Reafon was a
bright, but borrowed Light, borrowed from the uncreated Sun,
therefore ought to move by its Direction.
Tuus we fee that Reftraints on the human Nature, were ne-
ceffary even in Man’s Paradifaical State: To deny Self, was one
of the Precepts of Religion in the Garden of Innocence; nor is
this ftrange, if we confider, that for any rational Creature to live
according to his own Will, isto makea Ged of his W7/),
Wy did God forbid the Fruit of one Tree? This might be
to fignify Adam’s Dependance upon his Maker, and that he had
no Claim to any thing without his Leave: The fovereign Lord of
the Creation made over to Adam large Dominions, and the Man-
nour of Paradife for the Seat of his Empire, referving nothing to
himfelf but a fmall Rent of Acknowledgment, which was only
the Fruit of one Tree. The Exemption of this Tree from hu-
man Ule, notify’d Man’s Subjection, and Gcd’s fupreme Domi-
nion. By this Refervation he tried their Obedience, whether
they would be content with all the Earth, and Appurtenances
thereunto belonging, one Tree only excepted. NN. B. This forbid=
den Free might have fornething of a natural Tendency to corrupt
the animal Juices, and introduce Difeafes and Death into the hu-
man Nature. Ifthe Tree of Life could immortalize our Exiftence
in Happinefs, is it not equally rational to fuppofe the Tree of
Knowledge .... would deftroy it?
)
Nf.
OF, SERPENTS.
Ill. THE Laws of Paradife were inforced by a very awful
Sanétion, viz. Life and Death: The one expreffing fomething
moft terrible, the other implying fomewhat vaftly delightful.
Threatnings were neceflary Cautions in Paiadife : How furprizing
this! The firft day of Man’s Life, Man was put in mind of
Death, of which the Tree of Life wasa Memento. If you eat
the Fruit of it, you forfeit your Life, die you muf? without Re-
medy. This Menace of Death, in the Defign of it, was to guard
againft Sin, as that which only could be the Caufe of Death.
IN the day thou eateft thereof, dying thou fhalt die; or, die
the Death. Behold here! as ina Cloud, the farft Alarm of Mor-
tality, the firft Inftitution of Funerals, and the melancholy Office
of Grave-diggers. Bells from the Pinnacle of the Temple, pro-
claim it aloud to Man, Du/t thou art, and unto Duft thou fhalt
return. In this paradifaical Scheme of Government, we find
Death to be a near Neighbour to Life: Both the Trees grew near
to one another.
Some have made this Tree of Life a Reprefentation of Chrift,
and if fo, here, asin a Glafs, darkly Man {aw his Saviour before
he ftood in need of him: The Tree of Life planted in the midft
ef Paradife, was to preferve ddam’s Life, and without doubt had
done fo, if he had not rebelled. According toa Learned Few,
the Tree of Life reprefents Piety; and that of Knowledge, Pru-
dence *. Some of his Countrymen tell us ridiculous Stories about
the Tree of Life, wzz. That it was of prodigious Size, and all
the Water of the Earth gufh’d out at its Foot, &e.
Ir is from the Hiftery of Paradife that pagan Poets took their
Neéar and Ambrofia, which were faid to be the Meat and Drink
of the Gods; upon which fome put this Conftruction, vz.
Near fignifies young ; Ambrofia, Immortality ; intimating, that
in a State of Innocency, the Vigor of Youth would have been
immortal.
Tue Heathen were not without fome Idea of the Mofaic
Creation, and Fall of Man, and of a Woman that brought Sor-
row into the World; envying, that a Fire, which ts the Light
of Knowledge, was hid from them....and alfo of Old-Age,
brought in by the Counfel of a Serpent.
PARa-
* Philo Fudaus.
181
182
A NATURAL HISTORY
ParanpiseE, in Plato's Sympofium, is “fupiter’s Garden, and
alfo is the Pattern of Alcinouss Orchards, and the He/fperides :
The Golden-Apples kept by a Dragon, were the forbidden Fruit
in Paradife: The Fable of Hercules’s killing the Serpent of the
Iefperides, 1s borrowed from the Szed of the Woman, breaking
the Serpent’s Head.
Wuart is Ovid's In nova fert animus? but an imperfect
Tranfeript of Mo/ess Journal of the Creation, Gc, Tis faid by
Mo/fes, Ihe Spirit of God moved on the Face of the Waters; hence
Thales, makes Water to be the firft Principle of all natural Bodies:
His Reafons are deliver’d by Plutarch. Homer fays, All things
are made of the Ocean. The Chaos, whereof all things were
made, according to Hefiod, was Water. Orpheus fays, all things
were generated of the Ocean*. Plato's Atlanticus, what is it but
a Fable? built upon Mofes’s Hiftory of Nozb, and the Flood,
and the Caufes that brought it upon the World.
W uaArT is the Bacchus of the Heathen, but the Noah of Mo-
Jes? formerly called Boachus, for Noachus, as might eafily be,
miftaking the Hebrew Letters B and N, which are not very much
unlike, By Yanus and Saturn, Noah is meant ; and fome take
Fupiter to be faphet, for tho’ “fevis, and the other oblique Cafes
are derived from ‘fehovah, yet “fupiter is another. The Fable
of Heaven being ftormed by the Gants, arofe from what the
Builders of the Tower of Babel faid, viz. Let us build a City and
a Tower, whofe Top may reach unto Heaven..... But no Man
imitates the Scriptures more than Homer, who was an inquifitive
Traveller into all Countries. But to proceed to the Pagan Ac-
count of Paradife, and the Fall of Man:
A Certain Author relates a Difcourfe between Midas
the Phrygian, and Szlenus who was the Son of a Nymph, inferior
by Nature to the Gods, fuperior to Men and Death, thus:
SILENUS told Midas, that Europe, Afia, and Africa were
Tflands, furrounded by Water: that there was but one Continent
only, which was beyond this World, in which, among other
Rarities, were two great Rzvers, whofe Banks were cover’d with
Trees, one of them was called the Rzver of Pleafure, and the
other the River of Grief.....
He
® wusavos——yevecis TAVELS TETUKTHEe
OR SDERPEN TS.
_ He who eat the Fruit of the Trees along the River of Plea-
fure, was eafed from all his former Defires, and in a fhort time
became younger, and lived over again his former Years, caft off
Old-Age, and became firft a Young-Man, then a Child, and
laftly an Infant, and fo died.
Own the other hand, he who eat the Fruit from the Trees by
the River of Grief, {pent all his Days in Tears and Troubles, and
after many Years of Vexation, dies.
How romantick foever this Relation may be, it feems to al-
lude to the Trees and Rivers of Paradife, and to give {ome Hints
about the Introduction of Death.
Tue Indians account for the Fall of Man after this manner :
——Brama, one of their fubaltern Deities, form’d Man out of
the Slime of the Earth that was then juft created, and placed
him in a certain Situation, which they call Chorcham, which was
a Garden of Delights, abounding with all manner of pleafant
Fruit, in which was a certain Tree, whofe Fruit would confer
Immortality upon any Perfons that were allow’d to eat it.
Tue Gods, fay the Indians, tried all forts of Means to obtain
the Privilege of this Immortality; and after great Difficulties, did
at laft fucceed according to their With, and found out the Way
to the Tree of Life, which was in the Chorcham, and by feeding
on its Fruit for fome time, they commenced immortal.
A Famous Serpent called Cheiew, (probably Guardian of
that Tree) perceiving the Secret was difcover’'d by the Gods of
the fecond Rank, was fo enraged, that it fcatter’d a Flood of
Poifon over the Plain. All the Earth felt the fatal Effects, and
no Man efcaped the Infc€tion: But the God Chzven, took pity
on the human Nature, appear’d in the Shape of Man, and f{wal-
low’d all the mortal Poiion, wherewith the malicious Serpent
had infected the Univerfe..... This Fable, as ridiculous as it 1s,
muft have fome regard to the terreftrial Paradife, and can have no
other Original but the Do€trine of Mofes *.
Nor were the more weftern Pagans more happy in their Con-
jectures about the firft Entrance of moral Evil. Prometheus,
fay they, having form’d Men out of the Earth and Water, ani-
mated
* Asliani Sopbifte varia Hiftoria, cum Notit, Curante Gronovic. A.D. 173%.
Theopompus is quoted for it, whom my Author calls #udercyas. Et bec fi cui fide
dignus videtur, ea narrans Chius, tlle credatur, mibi vero egregius effe fabulator.
vol. I. cap. xviii. p. 252.
4
183
184
A NATURAL HISTORY
mated them with Fire, which he ftole from Heaven. ‘upiter,
the Chief of the Pagan Gods, enraged at this, commands Vu/-
can to make a Woman out of Clay, upon whom all the Gods,
out of their high Regard * to the Fair Sex, beftow’d fome
of their Perfe€tions. Venus gave her Beauty ; Pallas, Wifdom ;
Mercury, Eloquence ; Apollo, Mufick ; and ‘funo gave her Riches;
therefore called Pandora, who was fent by the Gods in revenge to
Prometheus, with a Box full of Evilsas a Prefent from them, but he
was too cautious to receive it; upon which fhe was to prefent it to
his Brother Epimetheus, (f{uppofed by fome to be her Hufband)
which he had no fooner open’d, but immediately there flew out
all kinds of Evil, that foon {catter’d themfelves over all the Earth ;
and at the bottom of the Box, nothing was left but poor Hope.
Hope, of all Ills that Men endure,
The only cheap and univerfal Cure.
Hope,
Thou pleafant, honeft Flatterer ; for none
Flatter unhappy Men, but thou alone.... Cowl.
Tue Mahometan Account of Man's Fall, is equally abfurd, as
appears from Mahomet Rabadan, &c. thus: —God made the Crez-
tion... the earthly Mafs became an animate Body . . . and was called
Adam; God placed him in heavenly Paradife, and left he fhould
believe that he had no Superior, God gave him only one Command,
the Obfervation of which was very eafy. He forbid him, upon
pain of Death, to eat of the Fruit of a certain Tree. Adam wanted
a Mate; therefore God made him fall into a profound Sleep, and
took out of his left Side a Rib, of which he formed a very beau-
tiful Woman, whom he called Eve, ...and order’d Gadriel to go
into Paradife, and to celebrate the Wedding of Adam and Eve,
being attended with a great many other Angels.
LUCIFER envying the Happinefs of Man, ufed his ut-
moft Endeavours to deprive him of it. Going one day by the
door of Paradife, he faid to the Angel who keot it, Give me lave
to goin, for I bave a Matter of Moment to impart to the Servants
of thy Lord. ‘The Angel having denied his Requeft, he defired
him to call the Serpent, who was then a very fine Creature.
. The
* Travels of feveral Mifiowaries izto India) p. 7.
OF SERPENTS.
The Serpent came, and Lucifer earneftly defired Leave to get into
his Body ; the Serpent did fo, and placed Lucifer in the Roof of
its Mouth, and carried him into Paradife. When he came near
the Forbidden Tree, it endeavoured in vain to make Lucifer
come out. Lucifer ftuck faft, and forced the Serpent to get upon
that Tree, under which Adam and Eve ufed to fitdown. Eve
was then alone, near the Tree: She faw the Serpent, who {poke
to the Woman in thefe Words, viz.
CHARMING Creature, if you would tafte this Fruit, you
would be “ke God him/elf in Wifdom and Knowledge: All the
Secrets and all the Myfteries you are now ignorant of, will be
manifefted to you. Adam came during the Difcourfe, and having
told him what the Serpent had faid, propofed to him to eat of the
forbidden Fruit, which after a fhort Paufe he comply’d with.
The Tree was a large Vine; Eve took twelve Grains oc a Bunch”
of Grapes, gave eight to her Hufband, and kept four to herfelf.
AT that very moment, Adam heard a very terrible Voice, Wo
to thee! haft thou fo foon forgot the only Commandment thou hadft
promifed to obferve? how comes tt that thou haft (by thy Greedine/s)
polluted the Purity of wy Habitation? Adam being confounded,
excufed himfelf by iaying the Fault upon Eve, who endeavour’d
to juftify herfelf by accufing the Serpent. Upon which God
ordered the Angels immediately to drive Adam and Eve from
Paradife, to ftrip them of their Clothes, and take away the
Crowns they had on their Heads *. But it is high time to
return.
SATAN, who imploy’d the Serpent in his Service, is fuppofed
to be punith’d here under the Figure of a Serpent: But why in
the Prefence of our firft Parents? Perhaps for fuch Reafons as
thefe, vz. 1. To reproach their Inadvertency for fuffering them-
felves to be impofed upon by a lying Spirit, who, if but refifted
by a meer Negation, would have fied. 2. To let them fee that
no Creature, tho’ never fo great, can rebel with Impunity ; from
whence they might conclude, what to expect from new Provo-
cations. 3. They had no other way to fee a Spirit punith’d, but
B b under
* Mahometifm fully explained, by Mahomet Rabadan, 2 Moor of Arragon iz
Spain, for rhe Inftruction of the Moors in that Kingdom, who were then violently
perfecuted there. ‘Tranflated out of Spani/h by Mr, Morgan, with a defign to give us
a better Notion of the Mabometans, and to place it in the rich Library of the late
Farl of Oxford. Printed 4. D, 1724.
186
A NATURAL HISTORY
under fome vifible Form. It could not but give them fome fe-
cret Satisfaction to fee their cruel Enemy tremble at the Bar.
Ir is obfervable here, that the Promi/e of the Mefiah was made
to dam, before the Almighty paft upon him the Sentence of
Death. How furprizing this! to find the Death of Chrift pud-
lifhed, before the Death of Adam was pronounced. The Death of
Chrift, the Innocent ; before the Death of Adam, the Criminal.
Tue laft Remark I fhall make here is, that the Earth, tho’
curfed for Man’s Sin, ftill puts on the Face of a Paradife, abound-
ing with an innumerable Variety of good Things; yea, and thofe
fo delicious and pleafant to Mankind, that many wifh to live in
it for ever. Thus they confine their Hopes and Fears to the pre-
fent State, and are fo far from believing a Life to come, that
they can hardly perfuade themfelves to believe, that they fhall
leave this prefent Life.
As the Bounties of Providence gives us no room to murmur
at our prefent Province or Portion, fo on the other hand, the
Toils and Troubles of this State fhould caufe us to afpire after
the heavenly Paradife, where no Curfe ever found Accefs, where
none of the Thorns of Affliction, or the Briers of Sorrow grow.
Od g valg cabh lb
Conrents. Of ¢he fiery Serpents that annoy'd the Camp of
Hiael: The Reafon of that judicial Stroke, i.e. Murmuring un-
der a Difgenfation of Miracles. Why punifl’d by Serpents 2
Why called Fiery? The laf Plague in the Defart. Flying
Serpents.
SE, ©. Peale
T might be faid with great Propriety of the People of I/rael,
that they were a Generation of Vipers. Ingratitude, Unbelief,
Difcontent and Murmuring, were the dominant Paflions in the
Wildernefs ; they were always quarrelling with God and Mo/es :
never eafy, no not under a Theocracy, a divine Government.
Ne wonder that Rage and Fadtion haunt the Dwellings of good
Princes,
OF SERPENTS.
Princes, when we find perverfe Spirits have murmiur’d at a divine
Adminiftration.
A MaeniricentT Table was fpread for them in the Wilder-
nefs, their daily Entertainments were miraculous; they were fed
by Manna, a delicious Food diftilled from Heaven, admirably
fuited to every one’s Palate. He commanded the Clouds from above,
and opened the Doors of Heaven, and rained down Manna upon
them to eat, and gave them the Corn of Heaven*. Wherefore
have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the Wilderne/s, for
there 1s no Bread, neither is there any Water, and our Soul loatheth
this light Bread+: This vain and empty Bread, fay the LXX.
Tuey were alfo furnifh’d with wzraculous Drink, i. e. Water
out of a Rock; Water that {well’d into a River, and follow’d ’em
in all their Motions, till they arrived in the Land flowing with
Milk and Honey; Terms, that include a Scene of Plenty and
Pleafantnefs.
In all their Traverfes through the Wildernefs, they were al-
ways under the Guidance and Protection of the Shekina; by
which Word the ews underftood the Prefence of the Holy Spirit ;
of Chrift, fay the Chriftians. The Shekina was the moft fenfible
Mark of the Prefence of God among them, which refted over
the Propitiatory, or the golden Cherubims, which adher’d to the
Propitiatory or Covering of the Ark; there the She&cna abode in
the Shape of a Cloud. The Raddzns tell us, that it firft refided
in the Tabernacle, and defcended into it in the Figure of a Cloud,
on the Day of Confecration. It paft from thence into the
Sanctuary of Solomon's Temple, on the Day of its Dedication by
that Prince t ; where it continued to the DeftruGtiion of Feru-
_falem by the Chaldeans, and-was not afterwards to be feen there.
T Hus were they conducted and entertain’d by an unintermit-
ted Train of Miracles. Now to fret and repine in fuch a Situa-
tion, was a Crime of a high and heinous Nature, no lefs than
impeaching infinite Wifdom, and taxing it with erroneous Con-
duc: If Difficulties occurred in the way, their Duty was Re/ig-
nation, a Temper obvious in Pagans, whofe Religion forbid all
indecorous Sallies of the Paflions.
Bb2. §O-
* Pfal. \xxviii. 23—25. + Numb. xxi. §; 6.70 aatw TH diantva—
t Calmet from Bafnage, Hiftory of the Fews.
188
A NATURAL HISTORY
SOCRATES, a Philofopher of Athens, was a Philofopher
in Prifon, as well as in the Mufeum: When bound in Fetters,
and he had nothing but Death before his Face, he then converfed
with his Friends with perfect Equanimity, and without the leaft
Reflexion upon Fate, upon God, and his Fudges, notwithftand-
ing his bafe Treatment, and the notorious Injuftice of his Sen-
tence. The Scripture reprefents ob as a Champion in AffliGion,
who by his paffive Fortitude under it, became the proper Hero
of an Heroic-Poem.
SPE NCmE, BEL
W HY were they punifh'd by Serpents 2
PERHAPS it might be to put them in remembrance of the
firft Sin, that was introduced into Paradife by the old Serpent:
This kind of Punifhment could not but bring to their Mind that
gloomy Moment in which the human Nature was morally and
mortally wounded by that evi! Spirit, in the Form of a Serpent.
This being allow’d, we may infer, that Man’s Memory ftands in
need of a Remembrancer, even of Paradife loft. And oh! who
can think of that inexpreffible Lofs, without dropping a filent
and folemn Tear ?
Some Learned Yews themfelves, {peaking upon this Subjeé,
fay, the Reafon why they were chaftifed by Serpents, was decau/e
they had dane the Attions of the old Serpent, in ufing an ill Tongue
againf? God, againfi Mofes, and Manna, the Bread of Heaven.
SEAS ae Pade
WHY called Fiery Serpents 2
A Narurat and a moral Reafon may be affigned for it.
1. Tue facred Volume feems to account for the zatural Reag-
fon, when it fays, God fent fiery Serpents. ‘The Hebrew word is
Seraphim, that is Burners, becaufe they appeared in the form of
a Flame. The LXX calls them Serpents of Death *, becaufe
their Wounds proved mortal.
Assoon as the People were wounded, their Blood was in-
flamed, and according to fome ‘fewi/> Authors, they were fcorch’d
j wth
* Odes CavasvTan
OF SERPENTS.
with infatiable Thirf. Of the Hebrew word Sarapb, the
Greeks, by changing the Pofition and Order of Letters, have bor-
rowed the Name Preffer, which is a kind of fiery venemous Ser-
pent, called alfo Dyp/as and Caujon, whofe Wound is accom,
panied with a moft vehement Heat and Thirft, and generally in-
curable, as fome have formerly faid. They may be properly called
Fiery, as their Colour was glowing, a proper Reprefentative of
Fire. In the We/t-Indies are Adders, red as Blood, about feven
or eight Foot long, and appear by Night as a durning Coal *.
2. THEY might be called Frery alfo, froma moral Confidera-
tion; for, that raging Heat in the Body might reprefent the out-
ragious Diforders of the Mind, flowing trom confcious Guilt,
neither of which were the Attendants of an original State. Hence,
perhaps, it is that Satan’s Temptations are ftyled fiery Darts, be~
cauie when complied with, they kindle a Fire in the Confcience,
a Prognoftick, and Tafte of the Unquenchable -f.
AND indeed, what are all uneafy Senfations, but the Venom
of the old Serpent? thence, that long Train of Complaints and
Groans. Remember from whence thou art fallen, is the Language
of every Calamity, but no calamitous Impreffion fo terrible, as
that which alarms the Mind about the awful Futurity. Of Sin
it is faid, that at laft, 7¢ wll bite ke a Serpent, and fting like an
Adder +.
Wuarv fill’d Adams Mind with Horror and Confternation 2
What made him run with wild Confulion among the Trees to
hide himfelf? What was he afraid of ? He, who was Lord of
the Earth, and Image of the Almighty? Was not he in Paradife,
the Garden of God; whence then this fudden and mighty Pa-
nick? What produced this great and aftonifhing Change in one
who had a friendly Intercourfe with God a little before? Oh!
"twas Guilt, Guilt, Guilt. A Confcioufnefs of his iniquitous
Compliance with the Serpent. What were thofe anxious dif-
quieting Thoughts that kindled the Fire in his Breaft, but the ve-
nemous, fiery Darts of Satan?
UDAS isanother Example; a Perfon highly honour’d by
Chrift, who made him his Ambaflador Extraordinary to the
Houfe of J/rae/, and Treafurer of his Houfe and Privy Counfellor,
on
* Atl. America, 179. + Eph, vi. 10, Biay-——-mesvpepyve.
t Prov. xxifi. 32.
189
190
A NATURAL HISTORY
ona fudden falls into Extremity of Anguifh ; and why? Guilt,
Guilt . .. ftruck with Horror of Mind for the Effufion of inno-
cent Blood ; was arraign’d, and fentenced by his own Confcience,
and became his own Executioner: His Guilt was the Wound
that bled within, and what Words can defcribe the Agony that
made that wretched Man throw himfelf into Hell for Eafe.
SE Oere ve
Tuis gloomy Occurrefice fell out in the laft Year of their
Pilgrimage. ‘The Wildernefs thro’ which they had travelled
abounded with thefe venemous Creatures, but were under the
Reftraint of a kind Providence, and not fuffer’d to diftrefs the
Camp of J/rae/ till now. Deut. vill, 15. Who led thee through the
great Wilderne/s, wherein were fiery Serpents and Scorpions.
Tuus, fortheir repeated Provocations, they were purfued by
divine Vengeance to the very Borders of Canaan.
JusT as they were congratulating one another upon the glo-
tious Profpect before them, an Army of venemous Serpents in-
vade their Camp, and made a terrible Slaughter among them.
Little did our firft Parents fufpect a Serpent in Paradife, nor J/-
vael fuch a Vifit from fiery Serpents upon the Confines of the
holy Land, the weftern Border of Paradife.
Tis Plague in the Camp, was the laft Punifhment inflicted
upon the Hou/e of I/rael in the Wildernefs, When they came
out of Egypt, it appeared they were about fix hundred thoufand
Men, befides Women and Children, and a mixt Multitude: Of
that mighty Number, none but two, oz. Yo/wa and Caled en-
ter'd into the promifed Land; the reft, fer their Unbelief and
reiterated Offences, perifh’d by the way *,
* Exod. xii. 375 38.
C HAP.
OF SERPENTS,
CUE ARO sD ES RY OWE
CONTENTS.
The flying and fiery Serpents. Ungrateful Ifrael wounded by them,
and healed by the Figure of a Serpent. God hears the Interceffion
of Motes, when deaf to the Cries of that rebellious People. Con-
gectures why healed by a Machine in the Form of a Serpent. Sin
in all its Appearances, the Venom of the old Serpent. The brazen
Serpent a Reprefentation of the Meffiah. The Cures wrought by
both were by very unlikely Means. The Wonders of Salvation.
Why Mrael was healed by a Serpent made of Brafi; Opi-
nions about it. The brazen Serpent was no Talifman, or a ma-
gical Image. The fatal Cataftrophe of the brazen Serpent. De-
firoyed, when abufed to Idolatry. The Serpent fhewed in St.
Ambrofe’s Church at Milan, for that of Mofes, a Cheat. Mar-
tyrs from the Catacombs of St. Sebaftian, Divine Inftitution ne-
ceflary to acceptable Worfhip. May the Deftruction of the brazen
Serpent, when abufed to Idolatry, warrant us to guefi at the
Fate of a Crofs abufed to Idolatry !
SE‘CRPON
MONG Serpents, we find fome that are furnifhed with
Wings. Herodotus who faw thofe Serpents, fays they had great
Refemblance to thofe which the Greegs and Latins call'd Hydre;
their Wings are not compgs’d of Feathers like the Wings of Birds,
but rather like to thofe of Batts; they love fweet {mells, and
frequent fuch T'rees as bear Spices. Thefe were the fiery Sér-
pents that made fo great a Deftrudtion in the Camp of J/rael.
Iw their Extremity, the People addreft their Mediator, Pro-
phet, and General, Mofes, faying, O pray to the Lord that be
take away the Serpents from us! ‘The meek Prophet did fo; the
mediatorial Voice reach’d Heaven, and movd the Almighty who
directs Mofes to make a Serpent of Brafs, (which was a Figure of
the Serpents that plagued the People) and fix it upon the Top of
a Pole, confpicuous to all the Aflembly, promsifing that all thofe
who were bit by Serpents, and fhould look upon this brazen
Image,
IQr
192
A NATURAL HISTORY
Image, fhould be prefently healed. Aftonifning Clemency ! The
Event was anfwerable to this Promife.
Tuts Method of Cure was new and ftrange; but he who at
firft called the World out of nothing, can with equal Facility
command Health out of a Piece of Brafs. Another Obfervable
here, is that when the Almighty refufed to hear the Cries of the
Wounded in their Diftrefs, he readily hearkened to Mo/es’s In-
terceflion in their favour. ‘Thus God accepted the Prayers of
“fob for his three Friends, when he would not regard the Suppli-
cations they put up forthemfelves. ‘fod Ixi. 7, 8.
SECTION IL
T u £ brazenSerpent was a Figure of the flying Serpent, Sara aph,
which Mo/es fixed upon an erected Pole: That there were fuch, “is
moft evident. Herodotus who had feen of thofe Serpents, fays
they very much refembled thofe which the Greeks and Latins
called Hydre: He went on purpofe to the City of Brutus to fee
thofe flying Animals, that had been devour’d by the Ibidian
Birds.
In Ajiatic-Georgia, between the Ca/pian and Euxine Sea, are
found winged Dragons, with anferine Feet and venemous Claws;
and fome of them are fortified with more terrible Pedeftals than
others: their Wings are generally compofed of {trong nervous
Membranes, which when they walk, are {carcely vifible, becaufe
of their clofe Adherence to their lateral Parts *.
In the Atlantic Caves, and Mountains of 4frica, is an infi-
nite Number of thefe winged Dragons, whofe Poifon is fo ftrong,
that the Flefh of fuch as are wounded by them, immediately
grows foft, languid, and incurable +. We read of flying Serpents
tranfported from fome Parts of Arabia into Egypt ft.
Tun ESE alfo have been feen in Florida in America, where their
Wings are more flaccid, and fo weak, that they cannot foar on
high. Scalger defcribes a certain flying Serpent that was four
Foot long, and as thick as a Man’s Arm, whofe Wings were car-
tilaginous, or griftly, 27d. Hiftory accounts for one ‘Of thefe fly-
ing Dragons that was killed in old Aquitaniain France, a Pre-
fent
* Paulus Jovius de Pifcibuss, cap. 2 + P. Belon in Johnftonus.
t Tefte Brodzxo. * J. pee iit, of Africa, lib. 6, & c.
OFMSiE|R PEON Ss
fent of which was made to King Francis, as a great- Rarity of
the Kind.
FEROM CARDAN informs us of fome winged Dragons
he had feen at Paris, fo nicely preferved, that they very much
refembled the Living ; they were defcribed with two Feet, weak
Wings, a ferpentine Head, and of the Bignefs of a Rabbit.
Wuy was the Deliverance of I/rael by a Machine made in
the Form of a Serpent? Perhaps, thefe ferpentine Strokes might
be intended as Emblems, or Memento’s of the fatal Wound in
Paradife, where Man’s Nature was firft poifoned by the Devil,
who made ufe of a real Serpent to feduce our firft Parents.
WHAT is moral Evil but the Venom of the old Serpent? A
Venom as pleafant to the Tafte, as the forbidden Fruit to the
Eye, but the End is Bitternefs. And what are Incentives to Sin,
but delufive Infinuations of the fubtle Serpent? And what is En-
joyment, buta pleafing Ilufion, whichis no fooner grafp’d, but
glides away as a Shadow, leaving behind it a wounded Contfci-
ence, direful Apprehenfions and Profpects.
Awpv what are all fenfual Entertainments but fo many hot
Gleams that portend the Approach of warring Winds and Storms ?
The Powers of Darknefs that excel in Science, know how to
regale the human Mind with pleafant Scenes, and how to divert
the Senfes with delightful Charms; Charms that have no Exiftence
but in a deluded Imagination.
. Tue Cure by a brazen Serpent, might alfo be to fhew, that
the Almighty in relieving diftreffed Supplicants, is not tied to any
particular Medium. When the J/raelites were poifon’d by real
Serpents, he healsthem by the Image of a Serpent. When he
would deftroy Gokah the Tyrant, he does it by a Sling in the
Hands of Davida Youth, avery unlikely Perfon to encounter a
Champion.
Tuus God by the Figure of a Serpent mortifies the Pride
of Lucifer, the old Serpent, by which he acquir’d greater Ho-
nour, than if he had facrificed to the Fire all the Serpents in the
Wildernefs.
Tuismay further intimate, that Providence may employ the
fame Kind of Inftruments, either for the Difplay of Mercy or
Juftice upon Mankind. He who heals and wounds by the Me-
diation of Serpents, can turn Bleffings into a Curfe, or enable us
to extract Sweetnefs out of the bitter Cup.
Cec SECT,
aog
194
A NATURAL HISTORY
5 EoCr ae ait:
‘T 11S artificial Serpent might (as fone have thought) pre-
figure the Mefiah, the Healet of fpiritual Maladies. Many take
it for a Reptefentation of his Paffion and Crucifixion: The Ana-
logy may be thus illuftrated, wz. The-Cures wrought by the
Serpent and theSaviour, detiv’d their Efficacy from Divine Ap-
pointment.
Ir the brazen Serpent had been the miere Contrivance of
Mo/fes, it would not have anfwer’d the Intention: fo all human
Inftitutions adopted into Divine Wotfhip will be as little avail-
able to true Happinefs, (Who has required this at your Hand?) of
that Sovereign, who accepts no Worfhip but what has the Sanc-
tion of his Wifdom and Will.
Botu Cures were performed by the moft unlikely Means.
The Serpent that healed their Wounds, was made of Brafs; a
Prefcription in which there was no Probability of producing that
happy Effect: And where was the promifing Afpec arifing from
the Manner of our Saviour’s Appearance on Earth? What great
"Things could be expected from a Root of a dry Ground? How
improbable was it that a Perfon fo mean in external Form fhould
overthrow the Kingdom of Darknefs, a Kingdom that had been
ftrengthning its Barriers for about four thoufand Years? Who
could think that he had fuch powerful Intereft in Heaven, who
was of no Reputation on the Earth?
Bewoup here‘a Scene of Paradoxes! Patients recovered by
the Death of the Phyfician. Upon Mount Golgotha we fee Pa-
radife, loft by the firft Adam, regained by the Death of the fecond
Adam ; Principalities and Powers led captives by a dying Man ;
there we fee Life reftored by Death, a Crown of Glory purchafed
by an ignominious Crofs. Were the J/raelites healed by a Crea-
ture made in the Likenefs of the Serpent that hurt ? So Men are
reftor’d by one made like themfelves.
How was this miraculous Cnre in the Wildernefs obtained ?
Tt was by an ocular View, that is, by looking at the artificial
Serpent. None elfe were entitled to a Relief. Thus Salvation
comes by Faith, which in the prophetick Dialeé is reprefented by
looking. Ef. xlv, 22. Look unto me and be ye faved all the Ends of
He
OF SERPENTS.
the Earth. The firft Sin enter’d at the Eye; the Woman faw the
Fruit was good. ‘Thus our Reftoration to the Divine Favour is
by an Eye to Chrift, the Tree of Life, but Imuft not ftrain the
Metaphor too far.
Se a LV:
Why was the Cure by a Serpent of Brafs? Yanfwer, not for
any healing Virtue inherent in that Mineral, more than others,
but to demonftrate his Almighty Power, who can fave by im-
probable Means, or without the Application ofany Means. Thus
the blind Man was cured by a Piece of Clay temper’d with Spittle ;
obi ix. 6.
i Peruaps, this alfo may refer to our Lord, as he is com-
par’d to Bra/s, which, when polith’d, is of a moft beautiful
Colour, exceeding that of Gold. Revel. i. 15. His Feet like
unto fine Brafs, An Emblem of the high Qualities that glitter in
him, whofe Nature is divinely fair and glorious. |
Tuose fiery Serpents, as they flew in the Air, might in Co-
lour refemble that of burni/h’d Bra/s, becaufe the Serpent of Moj/és.
was form’d of Bra/s, a Metal that in itfelf is no Friend to Health;
and fome have faid, that the Sight of the brazen Serpent ought
naturally to increafe the Diftemper of the Wounded, inftead of
healing it; and that the Almighty, fhew’d a double Efficacy of
his Power, by healing with thofe Means, which ought to havea
quite contrary Effect *.
Tuo’ Brafs in its natural State, may not be propitious to
Health, yet when duly prepar’d it isbeneficial: The Preparation
of Copper has been accounted an univerfal Remedy, andan ex-
cellent Emetick, having this fingular Virtue, that zt exerts its
Force, as foon as ever it 7s taken : Whereas other Emeticks lie a
long time dormant in the Stomach, creating naufeous Anxieties,
&c. but a fingle Grain of Verdigrea/e immediately vomits ||.
~ A CERTAIN learned Gentleman of this Ifland, imagines
that the brazen Serpent was a kind of Tasi/inan that is to
fay, one of thofe Pieces of Metal, which are caft and en-
graven under certain Conftellations, from whence they derive
Cc2 an
* Buxtorf, Hilt. de Serpente eneo.
||, Boerbaave’s Method.
195
196
A NATURAL HISTORY
an extraordinary Virtue to cure Diftempers, &c. Some impute
their Effects to the old Serpent, others to the Nature of the Me-
tal, and to the Influence of the Conftellation. This Author
therefore would make us believe, that the brazen Serpent cured
jutt as the Tah/mans cure certain Diftempers, by the Sympzcthy
there is between the Metals of which they are made, or the In-
fluence of the Stars under which they are formed, and the Dif-
eafe they are to cure. Every one may believe as he pleafes *.
Tue Serpent that is always reprefented with E/culapius’s I-
mage, and with Salus, the Goddefs of Health, and often with
the Egyptian Deities, is a Symbol of Health, or of Healing, very
probably derives thofe Enfigns of Honour from the brazen Ser-
pent of Mo/es.
DC a ys
WH AT became of the brazen Serpent at laff ?
I ANsweER, it was brought into the Land of Canaan as a fa-
cred Relick, and religioufly preferyed among the J/raelites down
to the Time of Hezekiah the -King, as a ftanding Memorial of
divine Goodnefs to their Forefathers inthe Wildernefs; but being
abufed by them to Superftition and Idolatry, as appears by their
burning Incenfe thereto, it was broke in pieces by the fpecial
Command of King Hezekiah, who, in Derifion and Contempt,
called it Mehufhtan, a Piece of Brafs, a Trifle, a Bauble, Shadow
of a Snake. 2 Kings xviii. 4.
May all the Ecclefiaftical Mehu/btans of Babylon, foifted into
Divine Worfhip, from the Rifing of the Sun, to the Going-down
of the fame, meet with the fame honeft and righteous Fate. In
the Church of St. dmbrofe at Milan, they pretend to keep a
brazen Serpent, which they fhew for that of Mo/es, tho’ there be
no fuch thing now in being,
In the Church of St. Ambrofe there is a Dragon of Brafs on a
Column of Marble: Some think it to be that of E/culapius,
others an Emblem of that in the Wildernefs, upon which account
many of the Pilgrims and common People worfhip it. ‘The In-
habitants are very fuperftitious, and fond of holy Fragments, and
pretend to have at the Church of St. Alexander, no lefs than
144,000 Martyrs from the Catacombs of St. Sebaftian.
THE
* Marfban Canon. Chronic. quoted by Calmer,
O.F) So & R PeE-N TS:
Tue Cures effected by the artificial Serpent, derived that
Efficacy from the divine Inftitution of that Medium: Had their
Prefcription been the meer Device of Rabbi Mo/es, that great and
valuable End would not have been anfwered; therefore, fince the
Reafon of that Inftitution ceafed, ’twas highly criminal in them,
to make any religious Ufe of it.
Ir is the divine Imprefs upon Inftitutions that ufhers in the
Bleffings intended by them; therefore to hope for Acceptance
with God on account of meer human Ordinances, (as bowing to
Images, to the Altar, to the Eaft, and to make ufe of Crucifixes,
Crofies, holy Water) is to hope for what God bas never promifed
fo give.
‘N o wonder to fee the brazen Serpent ground to Powder, and
the Duft fcatter’d in the Air, that fo no Fragments of it might
remain, when Altars of divine Eftablifhment, and facred to De-
votion, were intirely deftroy’d, when they made Idols of them:
And how a holy and jealous God may refent the Adoration of
the Crofs in the Popifh Church, 1 pretend not to predict, much
lefs to determine. This Deftruétion of the brazen Serpent, is
reckon’d among the good Deeds of King Hezekiah, becaufe it
was made a Medium, and Part of Worthip not prefcrib’d by di-
vine Authority,
Cora Ri? IW:
This Chapter begins with the Original of Idolatry, as a Preiimi-
‘nary to the Adoration of SERPENTS, under three Sections.
See Cor. a i
S introductory to the Divinity of Serpents, I fhall make a
brief Inquiry into the Original of facred Images, and Idol-
Worfhip; the firft Period of which is hard to trace.
So ME make Cain the firft Founder of it, becaufe of his early
Apoftacy from the true Religion; which is not very improbable,
fince ’tis faid, He went out from the Prefence of the Lord....
He
197
198
A NATURAL HISTORY
He grew more wicked, and gave himfelf up to all forts of Vio-
lence *. i
Tuart the old World was guilty of Idolatry, fome gather
from Gen. iv. 26. which they fay will bear this Reading
Then Men prophaned, calling on the Name of the Lord, that is, by
Jetting up Idols: Upon which fome of the Rabbins paraphrafe
thus, viz. Then they began to call Idols by the Name of the
Lord: With which agrees the ferufalem Targum, that fays, That...
was the Age, in the days of which they began to err, and made
themfelves Idols, and called their Idols by the Name of the Word of
the Lord +.
So cis underftand Gen. vi. 11. The Earth was corrupt, that
is 7dolatrous. In defence of this Glofs, they quote the [dslatry of
the golden Calf, which is expreffed by this very Form of Speech,
viz. Ihe People had corrupted themfelves. We read Gen. iv. 26.
Then Men began to call upon the Name of the Lord. There is no
room to doubt, but they called upon God before; the Particle
then feems to refer to Enos, which is the next Antecedent : there-
fore ’tis faid, They now applied themfelves to the Knowledge of
the Stars, which they apprehended were erected for the Govern-
ment of the World, and confequently might be their Duty to a-
dore them as God’s Reprefentatives.
Bur the general Opinion is, that Idolatry did not begin till
after the Deluge, and that perhaps the Deluge might be one Oc-
cafion of it; for the old World, as fome fuppofe, was drown’d
for Athei/m——which coming to the Knowledge of Noah's me-
diate Succeflors, they run into the other Extreme, chufing rather
to have many Gods than no God.
IDOLATRY is of a more antient Date than Image-Wor-
Jbip: To fee Men kneeling before a piece of Wood or Stone, has
fomething fo low and mean in it, that Men were not immediately
brought to that abject and fcandalous piece of Worfhip. The
Sun, Moon, and Stars, were their matural Gods, and ador’d be-
fore deify’d Men, who were their animated Gods.
Tuis Deification of Creatures, feems to begin about the time
of the Confufion at Babel, or the Difperfion immediately confe-
quent thereupon, particularly in the Family of Nimrod, the Son
of Cufb, Grandfon of Noah, May not we date the Origznal of
Paganifin
* See Cluverius, and Dr. Cumberland. + Schindl.
4
OF SERPENTS.
Pagani/m from that rematkable Petfon? °Tis the Conje@ure of
fome, that Nimrod was the fitft Man that was deify’d, and pro-
bably for the important Service he did to his Country, as a mighty
Hunter, in deftroying wild Beafts that othérwife would foon have
devour’d the Inhabitants, which wete not ver numerous in thofe
days. “Tiscertain, that fuch Benefactors to Mankind were rank’d
among the Gods. If fo, who will pretend to fay, our modern
Fox-Hunters don’t carry one Charaéteriftick of Divinity about
them?
Some think that the true Religion was univerfal for about
four hundred Years after the Deluge, becaufe it does not appear
from Abrams Traverfe thro’ Mefopotamia, Canaan, Philiftia,
Egypt, &c. that thofe Countries were Idolaters, Others appre-
hend Abram himfelf was originally an Idolater, at leaft that Ido-
latry had overfpread the Nations in his time, for which they quote
Fofhua xxiv. 2. Your Fathers... even Terab the Father of Abra-
bam... . ferved other Gods. It’s evident from hence, that Terab
had fallen into Idolatry, and fome are of Opinion, that Abram
himfelf was an Idolater, till God made him fenfible of the Vanity
of Idol-worfhip, and that it was thro’ him that his Father Zerah
was brought under the fame Conviction, by this Device, wz.
_ Tue Fews fay that Terab was not only an Idolater, but alfoa
Carver, and Dealer in Images and Idols; that one day when he
went a Journey, he left dram to take care of the Shop ; but
Abram being already convinced of the Sinfulnefs of Idols, afk’d
all that came to buy IJdo/-Gods of him, How old are you? They
told him their Age; and he replied to them, This God that you
would buy and worfhip, 1s younger than you are; it was made but
the other day, and of contemptible Matter, therefore behieve what I
fy, and renounce this vain Worfbip. The Buyers ftruck with
Confufion at thefe Reproaches, went away without buying, a-
fham’d of their Stupidity *. ane
Q. What might move Men to the firft Wolatry?
PERHAPS it might bea frong Attachment tothe Senfes, which
they made their fovereign Judges in Spirituals: It was hard for
vulgar Heads in thofe Days of Darkne(s to elevate their Thoughts
above fenfible Objects.
ANOTHER
* Fa Calmet under Tera, vol. xiii,
199
200
A NATURAL 11S 208 VY
ANOTHER Reafon, may be the Pride of the human Mind;
that is not fatisfied with rational plain Truths, but will adulte-
rate them with foolith Imaginations: Hence it was that they
would have fuch Objects of Woifhip, as might immediately ftrike
their fenfible Powers; nothing would ferve their Turn but a Di-
vinity vifible to the Eye, therefore they brought down the Gods
to the Earth, and reprefented them under certain Images, which
by degrees commenced inferior Deities.
Tue Egyptian Priefis not being able to perfuade the People,
that there were any Gods or Spirits fuperior to Men, were con-
{trained to call down Demons, or Spirits, and lodge them in Sta-
tues, and then bring forth thofe Statues to be vifible Objects of
Adoration, and from hence fprung Idolatry.
AmownG the Pagans were various Opinions about religious
Images. Some looked upon them as only Reprefentatives of the
true God, as Seneca, a Stoick Philofopher, and Plato a Native of
Athens, and a noted Academick.
OTHERS faid, they did not adore material Images, but the
Gods in them, into which they were drawn by virtue of their
Confecration, or, in amore modern Language, their Canoniza-
tion *.
SOME were of Opinion, that after the Confecration of I-
mages, the Gods actually incorporated with them, or were ani-
mated by them, as Man’s Body is by the Soul+. The vulgar
Heathen paid their Adoration to Images as if they were real Gods;
which monftrous Practice was ridiculed by the moft fenfible Pa-
gans, as appears farther on f.
Tue Ufe and Worfhip of Images has been long, and {till is
controverted. The Lutherans condemn the Calvinifts for break-
ing the Images in the Churches of the Catholicks ; and at the
fame time they condemn the Romanifts (who are profeffed Image-
Worfhippers) as Idolaters. The modern ‘fews condemn all I-
mages, and fuffer no Pictures or Figures in their Houfes, much
lefs in their Synagogues, or Places of Worfhip.
THE
* Arnobius, lib. vi.
+ Trifmegiftus, a learned Egyptian, a great Philofopher, a great Prieft, and a
great King.
$+ See Ladantius, lib. ii.
OF SERPENTS.
T nu £ Mahometans have a perfect Averfion to all Images. This
_ is it that made them deftroy moft of the beautiful Monuments of
Antiquity, both facred and profane, at Con/tantinople.
Tue old noble Romans preferved the Images of their Anceftors
with no little Care, and had them carried in Proceffion in their
Funerals and Triumphs.
Sy DK Chia Os 0
Tus Part entertains us with various Inftances of Pagan Dei-
fications, wz. of Men, Beafts, and Things without Life.
I. MEN transformed into Gods.
I BeGin with their desfed Men, that is, dead Men, who be-
ing canonized, paft for reputed Gods. Note here, fome are of
opinion, that the word God, among the Heathen, did not mean
the uncreated eternal Being, but fome mof excellent fupertor Na-
ture; and accordingly, they gave the Appellation of Gods to all
Beings of a Rank higher, and more perfeét than Man.
Tue principal Gods among the antient Heathens were upz-
ter, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Apollo, ‘funo, Vefta, Minerva, &c.
The next fort of Gods were called Demy Gods, or Gods adopted;
and thefe were Men canonized and deify’d. Now, as the greater
Gods had poffeffion of Heaven in their own Right, fo thefe leffer
Gods had it by Donation, being tranflated into Heaven, becaufe
they were Men renowned for their Virtues, and had lived as Gods
upon Earth; and thefe at firft were called Teraphim.
Tue firft certain Account of thefe we have in Genefis, where
tis faid, Rachel had ffoln her Father's Images. Chap. xxxi. 19.
the Leraphim of her Father in the Hebrew, which Labaa, (li. 30.)
calls his Gods, Hebr. Eloba.
Tue word Teraphim is Hebrew, others fay Egyptian: Be that
as it will, we find it about thirteen times in our Bible, and is
commonly interpreted Idols, Images, facred, fuperflitious Figures.
Spencer maintains the word to be Chaldee, and that thofe Images
were borrowed from the Amorites, Chaldeans, or Syrians, and
that the Egyptian Serapis is the fame thing with Teraphim of the
Chaldeans.
A LearnepD Yew fays the Teraphim were in human Shape,
and that when raifed upright, they {poke at certain Hours, and
Dd under
20
20
A NATURAL HISTORY
under certain Conftellations, by the Influence of the celeftial Bo-
dies. R. David de Pomis .... Cychpedia.
Tuis Rabbinical Fable feems to be grounded on Zech. x. 2.
The Idols (Hebr. Leraphim) have fpoken Vanity.... Some of the
learned ‘fews will have it todenote the Knowledge of Futurity,
and for this Signification they quote Ezek. xxi. 21. The King of
Babylon flood ... at the Head of the two Ways... be confulted with
Images ; with Teraphim, fays the Hebrew,
Tue fame Rabbi adds, that to make the Teraphim they kill’d
a firft-born Child, clove his Head, feafon’d it with Salt and Oil;
that they wrote on a Plate of Gold the Name of fome impure
Spirit, laid it under the Tongue of the Dead, placed the Head
againft the Wall, lighted Lamps before it, prayed to it, and it
talk’d with them.
Oruers hold, that the Teraphim were brazen Inftruments
which pointed out the Hours of future Events, as direéted by
the Stars.—Some think that the Teraphim were Figures or Images
of a Star engraven on a fympathetic Stone, or Metal correfpend-
ing to the Star, in order to receive its Influences: To thefe Fi-
gures, under certain Afpects of the Stars, they afcribe extraordi-
nary Effects.
Tuts Talifmanical Opinion, faysa Learned Pen*, appears the
moft probable... All the Eaftern People are ftill much addicted
to this Superftition of Tali/mans. The Perfians call them Telefin,
a Word approaching to Zeraphim. In thofe Countries no Man is
feen without them, and fome are even loaded with them. They
hang them to the Necks of Animals, and Cages of Birds, as Pre-
fervatives againft Evils. Such were the Samothracian Talh/mans,
which were pieces of Iron, formed into certain Images and fet in
Rings... : ;
Tue Labanic Images are fappofed to be the moft antient, if
not the firft religious Images, made of fome precious Metal, and
had their Birth in Ladan’s Country, that is, Chaldea, or Me/opo-
famida,
From Labdan’s Hiftory, it feems as if thefe Teraphim were
PiGtures or Images of certain Perfons deceafed; that is, they were
a fort of Idols, or fuperftitions Figures venerated by them as
Demy-Gods. That they were fuch artificial Portraitures of Men,
: 5 ce
* Father Dow. Calmet.
OF SERPENTS.
is evident from that Inftance in Michal, who, to deliver David
her Hufband from bloody Affaflins that threaten’d his Life, laid an
Image in his Bed, a Terapbim, fays the Hebrew, that is, a mate-
rial Image, probably a Figure of Wood, or Sticks haftily made
up, dreft in Man’s Clothes, to make thofe fent by King Saal
to apprehend him, believe he was fick.
Wuy does Laban call them his Gods? Very probably becaufe
he believed they retain’d their Affection for Mankind in the in-
vifible World, and being rank’d among the Gods, might be fer-
viceable to his Family, therefore adopted them to be Guardians
of his Houfe. They were only his domeffick Gods, and not the
eftablithed Gods of the Country; and ’tis very likely they might
be the Images of Noah and his Sons; or fome other illuftrious
Anceftors, whom he had chofen for his Tutelary Gods.
THE Scripture mentions another fort of Terapbzm, fometimes
confulted by the fews as an Oracle, not imagining that thereby
they abandon’d the Worfhip of the true God. Such was the
Teraphim that Micha made and fet up in his Houfe, and to which
he appointed a Prief of the Levitical Race, with an Ephod or
Sacramental Garment, by the Influence of which he flatter’d him-
felf that God would blefs his Houfe. ‘This probably might be
fome Hieroglyphical Figure, to which the fuperftitious Fews attri-
buted the Virtue of an Oracle, and the Power of foretelling
Things to come: Hence fpeaking Teraphims.
From thefe Teraphim came the Lares, or the Houfhold Gods
of the old Romans, who before the Laws of the Twelve Tables,
ufed to bury théDead in their Houfes ; from whence arofe that
great Veneration they had for their Lares and Penates, a kind of
domeftick Divinities, worfhip’d in Houfes, and efteem’d Pro-
tectors of Families, which were nothing elfe but the fuppofed
Ghofts of thofe who formerly had belonged to the Family, whom
they reprefented by Images, which they placed in the Chimney-
Corner, or near their Doors.
THESE were alfo look’d upon as Guardians of the Highways,
near to which their Images were fix’d for the Benefit of Travellers,
therefore call’d Diz Viales, Gods of the Roads. ”Tis faid by the
Prophet, Ihe King of Babylon ftood at the parting of the Way, and
confulted with the Images; with the Teraphim, fays the Hebrew,
Ezek. xxi, 21. which the fewi/h Interpreters fay were prophetick
Dda2 Images,
203
204.
A NATURAL HISTORY
Images, endued with the Gift of Prediétion; fo far from being
mere Idols, that they gave out Oracles, and foretold Things to
come.
Some think Laban’s Teraphim to be fuch, and that Rachel,
having obferved how her Father did divine by them, and fearing,
by confulting with them, he might know which way Facob went,
and follow after and murder him ; to prevent fo fatala Cataftrophe,
fhe took away his Oracles.
Tuose facred Images might, at firft, be made in honour of
departed Relatives, or illuftrious Perfons; but by degrees dege-
nerated into religious Adoration, Thus the Manes of the Dead
were worfhip’d by them under the Figure of their Teraphim, in
fome place of the Houfe, and probably where they had depofited
the Remains of their Anceftors, as fome think.
Tue Lares were alfo called Penates: To thefe they paid re-
ligious Homage with Sacrifices; fo the Roman Satirift fays, and
calls thefe Images his dear Kittle Houfe-Gods; and then obferves,
that they were crown’d with Garlands of Flowers in Summer,
and in Winter with Shaving of Horns colour’d. To thefe Waxen-
Gods the Romans addreft themfelves with Offerings of Frankin-
cenfe and Cakes *....
Tuey were fuppofed to be the Spirits of fuch, who had lived
well on the Earth, and in confequence of it, were happy; fo on
the other hand, thofe who lived ill here, did after Death wander
up and down in Horror, and were fuppofed, by the Vulgar, to
be Hobgoblins, call’d Lemures, z.e. reftlefs Ghofts of departed
Spirits, who return to the Earth to terrify the Living.
THESE are the fame with Larve, which the Antients ima-
gined to wander round the World, to frighten good People, and
plague the bad. All thefe were imagin’d to be the Ghofts of the
Dead: They pray’d to the Good for Proteétion,, and facrificed to
the Evil to pacity their Rage: For this reafon they had their
Lemuria or Lemuralia at Rome, where onthe gth of May, a Feaft
was folemnized in honour of the Lemures, and to pacify the
Manes of the Dead, efpecially thofe who died without Burial, to
prevent their giving difturbance to the Living.
q THE
* Oh parvi noftrique Lares quos thure minuto
Hic noftrum placabo, Jovem Laribufque patesnis
Thura dabo, atque omnes viol jactabo colores
Cuncta niteat—— Furvenal. Sat. ix. v. 137. & Sat. xii. ¥. 89-
&
OPiS ER iP yE iN: 7S.
THe firft Men that were deified, or made Gods, are fuppofed
to be the Heads of Families, Founders of Empires, and Bene-
factors of Provinces who, after their deceafe, were highly
reverenced. Noah and his Sons feem to be the firft and chief ani-
mated Deities of the Pagans, under the Names of Saturn, “fupi-
ter, Neptune and Pluto; hence Demons, another Name given to
Spirits, which were fuppofed to appear to Mortals, with intention
to do them Good or Hurt.
Tue firft Notion of Demons, ’tis faid, fprung from Chaldea,
thence it {pread among the Perfians, Egyptians .... Pythagoras
and Thales were the firft that introduced Demons into Greece,
where P/ato fell in with the Notion, which he explains thus,
VIZ.
.... By Demons, he underftood Spirits inferior to Gods, and
yet fuperior to Men, which inhabiting the middle Region of the
Air, kept up the Communication between the Gods and Men,
carrying up the Prayers and Offerings of Men to the Gods, and
bringing down the Will of the Gods to Men. He allow’d of
none but good ones, tho’ his Difciples (finding themfelves unable
to account for, the Origin of Evil) adopted another kind of De-
mons, who were Enemies to Man *.
Tue Apocryphal Book of Exoch abounds with the Names of
Angels and Devils; but that Book is not of any great Antiquity,
tho’ the Prophecy be: it does not appear to have been known by
the antient “fews. St. Fude is the firft that cited it. The Autho-
tity which this fpurious Book of Exoch has received from fome
of the Antients, is the reafon of our meeting with feveral of its
Opinions, featter’d in their Writings. did.
LACTANTIUS, one of the moft eloquent Authors of his time,
(and therefore called the Chri/tian Cicero) was of Opinion there
were two forts of Demons, celeftial and terreftrial +: The cele/tial
are the fallen Angels, who having been feduced by the Prince of
Devils, engaged themfelves inimpure Amours ; the ferre/frial are
they who iffued from the former, as Children from their Parents =
Thefe laft, who are neither: Men nor Ang:!s, but a Medium be-.
tween the two Natures; were not plunged into Hell, neither
were their Fathers admitted into Heaven: The terreftrial Angels
are:
* Gale’s Court of the Gentiles, part I. chap. viii.
Chambens’s Cycloped. Calmet’s Eft, Dict, yoli. P. 434 ¢
205
206
A NATURAL HISTORY
are impure Spirits, and Authors of all the Evils committed on
Earth *.
Many of the Antients have allotted to every Man an Evil
Angel, who is continually laying Snares for him, and inclining
him to Evil, as his Good Angel does to what is Good. The
“fews have ftill the fame Sentiments at this day. Another Father
thinks, that every Vice has its Evil Angel, prefiding over it; as
the Demon of Avarice, the Demon of Pride, of Uncleannefs +....
In Pagan Theology, nothing more common than thofe good
and evil Genii, and the fame fuperftitious Notion got among the
Hrachtes, by Commerce with the Chaldeans; but I don’t appre-
hend that by Demon, they meant the Devil, or a wicked Spirit,
tho’ it be taken under that Idea by the Evangelifts, and alfo fome
modern Fes tf.
We are not without fome Remains of thofe antient Reprefen-
tations: Among the various Rarities in the Mu/eum at Leyden in
Holland, is the Effigies in Sculpture of Ofiris, the Egyptian God;
*tis made of Wood, and now almoft confum’d with Age: There
are three other Egyptian Idols of Stone; an Image of Jfs (who
married O/iris, King of the Country) giving fuck to her Orr.
Another Effigies of J/s, the Egyptian Godde/s, upon a little Egyp-
tian Coffer, containing the Heart of an Egyptian Prince embalm’d
therein.
THE antient Pagans, had almoft as many Godde/fes as Gods ;
fuch were uno, the Godde/s of Air, Gc. Queen of Heaven, and
of the Gods ; was reprefented fitting on a Throne with a Crown
of Gold on her Head: This was the Patronefs of the female Sex.
Every Woman had her Yano, or Guardian ; as every Man had
his Genius. She was the Goddefs of Marriages, which were not
deem’d lawful without the Parties firft addreft her. One Branch
of her Office was to attend them in Labor, when they prayd,
Help, Sfuno Lucina ||.
SHE was ador’d by all Nations; her Temple was open on the
Top and had no Doors, it being impious to think of confining
the Gods to a narrow Inclofure. Yea, many of the- Antients
would erect no devotional Temples, from a Perfuafion that the
whole
* Lactantius, lib. ii. cap. 14. Lugd. Bat. 1652.
+ Origez. Homil. xv. in Jofh. Calmet. ibid.
1 Cyclopedia. | Funo Licina fer oper.
OF|SER PEN TS.
whole World is the Temple of God. The Sicyonians would build
no Temple to their Goddefs Coronzs: Nor would the Athenians
erect a Statue to the Goddefs Clemency, who they faid was to live
in the Hearts of Men, not within Stone-Walls. The Goddefles
were numerous, but I fhall add no more.
Trey did not only enroll Mex and Women among their Gods,
but they had alfo Hermaphrodite-Gods. Thus Minerva, accord-
ing to feveral of the Learned, was both Man and Woman, and
worfhipped as fuch under the Appellation of Luxus G Luna.
Mitbras, the Perjfian Deity, was both God and Goddefs; there
were Gods of Virtue, Vice, Time, Place, Death... . Infancy.
Not Men only, but every thing that relates to Mankind, has alfo
been deified, as Infancy, Age, Death, Labor, Reft, Sleep, Virtues,
Vices, Time, Place .... Infancy alone hada numerous Train of
Deities. They alfo ador’d the Gods of Health, Love, Fear, Pain,
Indignation, Shame, Renown, Prudence, Art, Science, Fidelity,
Liberty, Money, War, Peace, Victory.....
Tus we have feen, that nothing more common among Pa-
gans, than to place Men among the Number of Deities; yea,
fome of them would not wait for their Deification till Death,
Thus Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, procured his Image to
be worfhipped while he was living. Thus 4ugufius had Altars
erected and Sacrifices offered to him while alive. He had Priefts
called Augujtales, and Temples at Lyons, and feveral other Places.
He was the firft Roman who carried Idolatry to fuch a pitch:
Having in a moft refpectful manner view’d the embalm’d Body
of Alexander the Great, was afk’d, if he would fee Ptolemy's alfo ?
he anfwer’d, H7zs Curiofity was to fee a King, not a Man. His
Favourite-Poet complements him with the Title of God*. Yea,
the Ethiopians deem’d all their Kings Gods.
Il. Inanimate Things turn’d into Gods.
Tu1NnGs without Life were made into Gods by the Heathens:
The Sun, Moon, and Stars feem to be the firft Idols, or falfe
Gods, to whom they paid a divine Regard. Po/ffidonius defines a
Star, a divine Body. The Zabiz erected Images to the Stars,
which they fancied to be fo many Gods, and that they influenced
the Images confecrated to them ; yea, and communicated the pro-=
phetick Spirit to Men.
THE
* ——— Deus nobis hic otia fecit.
207
208
A NATURAL HISTORY
T us Sun and Moon were by the idolatrous J/raelites called the
King and Queen of Heaven, and the Stars were fuppofed (as it
were) to be their Militia, form’d for their Guards, with which
they were always furrounded.
PHILO of Alexandria, (called Philo the Few, a Platonick
Philofopher) imputes to the Stars a great part of whatever happens
on the Earth; and fays, they are not only Animals, but even
moft pure Spirits; that our Air is replete with Animals and Spi-
rits, which are continually defcending to animate Bodies. He
had borrow’d thefe odd Notions from his Mafter Plato, Chief of
the Academicks. Origen one of the Fathers, who flourifh’d in —
the third Century, was guilty of the fame Miftake *.
T ue facred Books, in fome places, feem to afcribe Knowledge
to the Stars, when they praifed God at the beginning of the
World, ‘fobxxxvili. 7. but the Stars were not then created, there-
fore it’s generally fuppofed they were Angels. Since then the Sun,
Moon and Stars are excited to praife the Lord ; the Moon with-
drew its Light, and the Sun ftopt its Courfe at the Command of
‘fofoua . ..and perhaps one reafon of their ftrange Opinions about
the heavenly Bodies, might be owing to thefe and the like Ex-
preffions ; not knowing that thefe Words were meerly popular,
and not to be underftood literally, for then we muft fay that the
Earth, the Trees, the Waters, are animated, fince we find in
Scripture fome Expreflions that would infinuate as much.
Tue Arabians who {prung from I/hmael, worthipped the Sun,
Moon and Stars, in which they were conducted by their Priefts
who were cloathed in white Veftments, wearing Mitres and
Sandals, which at firft were only Soles tied to the Feet with Strings,
In Authors that fpeak of ecclefiaftical Rites, and Ornaments,
we find the word Sandals to fignify a valuable kind of Shoes,
worn by the Pre/ates at Solemnitzes +.
We find Sandals alfo ufed by the Ladies, very different in
form: When Yudith went to the Camp of Holofernes, the put
Sandals on her Feet, at the fight of which he was captivated ;
for ‘tis faid, Her Sandals ravifh'd bis Eyes. ‘Thefe were a magni-
ficent fort of Stockens, like Buflcins, of an extraordinary Beauty t,
and
* Philo Leg. Alleg. Ovigen.t.1. Méaimox. iz Calmet. under the word Star.
+ Benedictus Baudovinus de Calcea Antiguo.
{ Fudizh x. 4.
OF SERPENTS.
and were proper only to the Ladies of Condition, who generally
had Slaves to carry them.
N.B. The real Buskin was the Cothurnus, a very high Shoe
rais'd on Soals of Cork, wore by the ancient Actors in Tragedy,
to make them appear taller, and more like the Heroes they re-
prefented, moft of whom were fuppofed to be Giants.
Tue Perfians had no Temples, Altars, nor Images, holding
fuch little Things improper for the high Gods. Therefore they
worfhipp’d upon the Top of Hills, where they offer’d Sacrifices
to the Sun, Moon, and Stars. The Babylonians adored the
Sun, to which the King offer’d every Day a white Horfe
richly furnifh’d: The Sun was in high Efteem among the Phe-
nicians, whofe Priefts were crown’d with Gold. The Zartars and
Cathaians worfhip the Sun, and Stars,‘to which they offer the firft
Fruits of their Meat every Morning before they eat and drink
themfelves. They have divers Monafteries of Idols, to whom
they dedicate their Children.
In Nova Zembla there is no Religion prefcrib’d by Law, but
they worfhip the Suz, fo long as ’tis with them, and the Moon
and North-Star in its abfence. In Chima are great Numbers of
facred Temples, where the Priefts have fo much Power over their
Gods, that they may beat them ,when they don’t anfwer their
Expedtation: Their chief Gods are the Suz, Moon, and Stars,
where they are not chriftianis’d.
In the Philippine Iflands, the Natives worthip the Stars,
which they hold to be the Children of the Suz and Moon: Their
Priefts, for the moft part, are Women. The ‘faponians worfhip
an Image, with three Faces,. by which they mean, Sun, Moon,
and the elementary World *.
In America their chief Deities are the Sun and Moon; which
they honour with Dances and Songs. InVirgzma and Florida,
when they eat, drink, and facrifice, they ufe to throw up to-
wards the Sun, fome part of their Food: The Spamards taking
Advantage. of this Superftition, made the poor ignorant People
believe they were Meffengers fent to them from the Sun; where-
upon they fubmitted to the Spami/h Yoke. Hacluyt, ibid. At
Mexico, when they facrificed a Man, they pull’d out his Heart,
and offer’d it to the Suz.
Ee In
* Acofta, and Fefuits Ep. in R. Oliver. Noort’s Navigation.
209
210
A NATURAL HISTORY
In South-America, they worfhip evil Spirits in various Forms,
and Sun and Moon. When it thunders, and lightens, they fay
the Sw is angry with them: When the Moon is eclipfed, they fay
the Sun is angry with her,
In Peru, next to their chief God, they worfhip’d the Sun,
and after it, the Thunder, They took Sun and Moon for Huf-
band and Wife. Inthe feventh Month they facrificed to the Sun,
and in the tenth to the Honour of the Moon.
Tre fame Paganifm was profeft among the Europeans; yea
the Greeks and Romans that were the moft knowing and polite Na=
tions, their chief Gods were Sun, Moon, and Stars.
Tue Air, and Meteors in it, were made into Gods: Thus
the Perfians ador’d the Wind ; Thunder and Lightning were ho-
nour’d under the Name Geryon. Comets and the Rainbow alfo
have been prefer’d from Meteors, to be Gods. Socrates deify'd the
Clouds, if Credit may be given to Ari/fophanes.
THER high Veneration for Water was fuch, that to fpit, to
urine, or wafh ina River was made a high Crime; perhaps, the
Water of ‘fealoufy that determin’d the Cafe about the Fewi/h Wo-
mien, fufpected of Adultery, might heighten their Veneration for
this Element.
In Szczly, Rivers were worfhipped by the Agrigentes (in the
fhape of a beautiful Boy) to which they facrificed... The Cathai—
ans worfhip Earth and Water.
Tue Indians count the River Ganges facred, and to have a
Power of expiating their Sins. When the Idolaters wath in it,
they cry, OF Ganges, purify me! And when any are fick, they dip
them init, in order to recover their Health. The Water of this
River is convey’d to fuch as live at a diftance, and are not in a.
Capacity totravel ; fo that they afcribe as much Virtue to this
River, as the Papifts do to their holy Water, and chief Relicks.
Tue People of Bengal don’t only worthip the River Ganges,
but give Divine Honours'to its Image. Bernzer fays, that King-
dom is well water’d’ by Channels cut out of the’ Ganges, which is
vifited by many Pilgrims, who think themfelves happy if they
can wafh imit. There is alfo'a Well in that Country, which
they adore, and think, by wafhing therein, they are purify’d from.
their Sins. Their Przeffs travel about with the Water of the
Ganges, which they fell. at vaft Prices; becaufe the poor igno-
| | 5 rant.
OF SERPENTS.
rant People are made to believe, that by drinking this Water, they
obtain Pardon of their Sins.
T ue Inhabitants of Perw in America, fling the Athes of their
Sacrifices into the River, follow the fame fix Leagues, and pray
the River to bring that Prefent to Wirachoca, a {uperior Deity.
Acofia.
Tue Perfians and Chaldeans exprefs their God by Fire, to
which they perform Adoration, and bring it Food, crying to
it, Hat, Ohmy Lord Fire! To throw dead and dirty Things
into the Fire, yea to blow it with their Breath, was High Treafon.
Tue Magicians fay, that this Fire was convey’d to them from
Heaven ; and that it was for this Reafon that they kept it fo re-
ligioufly. That.they preferve a conftant Fire on their Altars, is
evidentfrom Hiftory. ‘They are faid to haye Fires {till fubfifting,
which have burnt above a thoufand Years. .We_ read of fuch Fire
kept up with fuperftitious Care in the Temple of Fupiter Ammon,
and in that of Hercules at Gadis. So itis in Egypt, and in moft
of all the eaftern Countries, and Vzrgi/ tells) that Iarbas the Ge-
tulian could boaft of a hundred Temples he had erected with
Altars, blazing with perpetual Fire, the eternal Guard of the
Gods *.
Tuas. which gave occafion to perpetuate the Fire in Pagan
Temples, might be from the perpetual Fire kept in the Temple
at ‘Ferufalem, which defcended from Heaven upon the firft Vic-
tims facrificed by 4aroz and hisSon. Hence the Ve/fals were ap-
pointed exprefs, to keep up the facred Fire of the Romans.
‘Tue Kings of Perfia never went abroad without having fome
Portion of the facred Fire carried before them: The Hiftorian
-giving an Account of the March of Darius's Army, — fays, that
they carried Fire upon Altars of Silver, in great Ceremony,——that
they had it in great Veneration, calling it the facred and eternal
Fire,’and,that the Mag: came after, finging Hymns according to
the Perfian Mode +-.
Gop appear’d to Mofés under the Form of a Fire burning in
a Bufh, The Camp of J/rael in the Wildernefs was conducted
in the Night by a Pillar of Fire. Now God having made feveral
Ee2 Re-
* Centum aras pofuit, vigilemque facraverat ignem,
Excubias divim ternas. Virc. Aineid. 4.
+ Quint. Curtius, lib. 1, Hyde de Perf: Relig. c. iii. p. 69
212
A NATURAL HISTORY
Revelations of himfelf, under the Appearance of Fire, might give
eccafion to the Chaldeans and Perfians to entertain fuch enormous
Veneration for Fire, which is a Symbol of the Deity: The Lord
thy God, fays Mofes, 1s a confuming Fire. At their high Solemni-
ties they fet feveral Trees (hung with diverfe Sorts of Beafts for
Sacrifice) on fire; this they did after they had carried about
thefe Fires in Proceflion.
I SuHaut add here, a remarkable Conteft that happen’d be-
tween the Chaldean and Egyptian Priefts about the Superiority of
their Gods.... In the time of Conftantine the Chaldean Priefts, to
prove that Fzre, which was their God, excell’d all other Gods
in Power, travell’d over the Earth, carrying Fire with them,
which foon confum’d all the Statues and Images of other Gods;
whether of Brafs, Silver, Stone or Wood, fays Suidas *, who
gives alarge Account of it, under the Word xaw7e,. At length
coming into Egypt, and making this Challenge; the Egyptian
Priefis agreed upon a Battle of the Gods, and immediately brought
into the Field one of their Idols, which was a large Statue of
Nilus, full of Water, and fall of little Holes, which they ftopt
with Wax not difcernable, and fo artificially, that the Water
was kept in.
THE Chaldeans (not aware of this Device) begun the Aion,
with much Affurance, and with Eagernefs put Fire around the
Egyptian Statue, which foon melted the invifible Wax, and the
Water gufhing forth from all Parts, immediately put out the Fire,
and drown’d the hitherto zmvinczble Deity of the Perfians; the
Tragedy ended in a triumphant Shout of Laughter among the
Spectators: And ¥ might add' + how the Arabians and Indians,
Peruvians, Lithuanians, and Vandals worfhip’d Vegetables,——
the Scythzens Tron. Trees and Plants have been made Gods.
Leeks and Onions were Deities in Egypt. The ancient Gauis
and Brztovs bore a particular Devotion to the Ozk; from which
their Priefts took their Names. Ceres and Proferpina, worfhip’d
by the Ancients, were no other than Wheat, Corn, Seed.——The
Syrians and Egyptians ador’d Fifhes. What were Tritons, Ne-
reids, Syrems, but Sea-Gods? Infects, as Flies, and Ants, had their
Priefts:
* Vol. I. pag. x
368.
+ Ruffiv. Hitt. Ecclefiaftica, lib. 2, Sranley’s Lives of the Philofophers, patt 16.
chap. 8. page 28.
OFFGISSE RVPVEL NUT IO. 4
Priefts and Votaries: Yea, Minerals were erected into Dezties,
The Finlanders ador’d Stones. 1 don’t fee what can be faid for
fuch an Inftance of Stupidity. To fay the Pradtice took its rife
from Abram’s anointing the Stone that he made ufe of for a Pil-
low, when he went to Me/opotamia, does not leflen the Reproach.
The Mahometans think that ‘facob’s Stone was convey’d to the
Temple at “ferufalem ; and is ttillthere in a Mofque or Turkifb
Temple, where the Temple at eru/alem ftood before the final
Defolation. The monftrous Stupidity of Pagans in their Devo-
tions will further appear in the Clofe of this Performance.
Now among all thefe Inftances of Idolatry, the Adoration of
the Suz was the moft excufable; for, who can behold that ftu-
pendous Globe of Fire and Light in perpetual Motion, Splendor,
and univerfal Ufefulnefs to Mankind, without awful Admiration,
and warm Emotions of Mind? No wonder then to find that it has
been the Object of Adoration fo long, and in fo many Places. It
was the Sun very probably that was worfhip’d by the Phanicians
under the Name of Baa/, by the Moadites under the Name of
Chemofh, by the Ammonites under the Name of Moloch; by the
degenerated I/raelites by the Name of Baal, the King of the Hoft
of Heaven, to whom they join’d the Moon, whom they called
Aftarta or Queen of Heaven, ;
Tu1s Worfhip was perform’d upon high Places, in Groves,
and upon the Roofs of their Houfes, which in thofe Counties,
were flat. It was againft this kind of Worfhip that Mo/es warn’d
the Jraelites, and threatens the Tranfereflors with Death. Deut.
iv. 19, ‘tis faid Fofiah King of fudah took away the Hor/es, that his.
Royal Predeceffors had given to the Sun, and were fix’d at the
Entrance into the Houfe of the Lord, and burnt the Chariots. of
the Sun with Fire.
WI. Animal Gods.
In the next place, I fhall briefly touch upon fome Brutes and
Birds, &c. that received Divine Honours from the Pagan People,
and even from thofe who were fuppofed to excel their Neigh-
bours in Underftanding and Wifdom.
Tuus Crocodiles, Serpents, Eagles, Dogs, Cats, Wolves, Oxen,,
were worfhip’d by the People of Egypt, thofe celebrated Tae
213
214
A NATURAL HISTORY
of Wifdom ; but their greateft Solemnities were confecrated to
the God pis, or Serapis, under the Image of an Ox or Bull.
TueEY had an Ox confecrated to the Sun, which they fed at
Heliopolis in Egypt : They had another called zs, dedicated to
the Moon, and fed at Memphis, (for fome time, the royal City)
where he had his Temple, and the Devils gave out their Oracles.
In the time of St. %erom, who flourith’d in the fourth Century,
they worthipped here a brafs Bull as a God.
Tue famous God Ofris was adored under the Figure of this
Beaft, and when dead, it was buried with great Solemnity and
Mourning: And ’tis obfervable, that his Birth-day was celebrated
thro’ the whole Kingdom. N..B. ’Tis very probable, that the
Hraelites worthipped the golden Calf in the fame manner as the
Ligyptians did their Bulls, their Cows and Calves.
Brrore I proceed, give me leaveto {peak fomething of this
golden Idol, which was the Figure of a.Calf, which the J/rae-
ites caft, and fet up to worfhip in Mo/és's Abfence; who, upon
his return from the Mount, burnt the Figure, round it to Pow-
der, and:made the People drink it mixt with Water, Exod. xxxii.
The Learned are divided in their Sentiments on this Article; that
is, the golden Calf, that was'burnt and pulverized.
To pulverize Gold and render it potable, is an Operation in
‘Chymiftry of the laft Difficulty; and ‘tis hard to conceive how
it fhould be done at that time, before Chymiftry was-heard of,
and ina Wildernefs too, where they had no proper Inftruments.
‘Many therefore fuppofe it tobe done by.a Miracle. But the chy-
mical Art feems to be of greater Antiquity, and was very pro-
‘bably practifed in the antediluvian World by Zudal Cain. Mao-
jes is the next Chymift mention’d inthe Bible, whofe Skill in
‘chymical Operations, in pulverizing the golden Calf, feems to be
inconteftable, and artificial.
Tue Art is now much improved. Bid a Chymift convert
‘Gold into Glafs; and by means of a burning Concave, or other-
‘wife, he-prefently does it: Afk him to fhew -you Gold in'Powder,
and by mixing a little ztzmony with that Metal, he will foon
‘render it pulverable *.
Bu T to return: Among other living Creatures, the Egyptzans
calfo paid a great Devotion to Dogs and Cais. We read-of a cer-
faut
* Boerbaave’s new Method, Procef. 268, 317
OF SERPEN'?6:
tain Roman Soldier, that was like to be torn to pieces by the Peo-
ple, for having &/’'d a Cat by Accident; and that when a Dog
happen’d to die, the whole Houfe went into Mourning *: Yea,
in cafe of a great Famine, they would eat Man’s Fleth, before
they would touch their facred Animals; b/d. The Stork, Ra-
ven, Eagle, Hawk, Ibis, and other Birds, have had divine Ho-.
nours paid them in Heypt and other Places.....
Tue City of Mendez in Egypt worthipped a Goat; the City
of Mira, the Crocodile. In other Provinces they erected Altars
to Lions, Baboons, Wolves....’The Hog was ador’d in the Ifland:
of Crete (now Candy) in the Mediterranean. Bats and Mice
had Altars confecrated to them in Troas and at Tenedbs.
Notuiné can be fuppofed more ridiculous than the Adora-.
- tion given by the Egypfzans to their brutal Deities, which were:
either within or near their Temples ; had Tables with delicious
Meats and Beds prepared for them, and when any of them died,
they went into Mourning, prepared fumptuous Funerals and.
magnificent Tombs for them, as may be feen at large in Diodorus
Siculus, Herodotus, and others -F.
Some indeed ridiculed their fenfelefs. and ftupid. Neighbours,
tho’ they themfelves were not Matters of fuperior Senfe in their
Devotions. Anaxandrides reproaches the Egyptians for their.
wretched and foolifh Idolatry ; but after all, this was only one
Idolater deriding another. Dzony/ius was the moft notorious this:
way: And moft knavifh in this kind was the Paznter, who,,
when he fhould have drawn the Picture of /uch a Godde/s for a
Grecian City, drew the Picture of his own Miftre/s, and fo made
her to be adored by. the Citizens.
Wuat Man could have forbore laughing, faid the Greek
Poet above, to feean Egyptian on his Marrowbones, praying toan
Ox as to a God, or howling over a fick Cat, fearing left his fcratche.
ing God fhould die ?
_ Upon the whole, ’tis no eafy matter to difcover the real Sen-
timents of the Heathens about their Gods: they admitted fo many.
fuperior and inferior Deities, who fhared the Empire, that all.
was full of Gods.
Some of the Antients fay, that a certain /udtzle Matter that
made Stars intelligent, did refide in their facred Animals, Plants
andi
* Diodor. Siculus, Herodor. + Plut. Herodot. Furieu’s Critical Hiftory..
215
216
A NATURAL HIST.ORY
and Men, and efcaped Death: And this made them fit to par-
take of fuch Worfhip, as they gave to the Stars. ——Sanchoniatho
meant only, that the celeftial Bodies are intelligent, and fee what
is done here below, and therefore were to be adored as Gods *.
sn) On Gans ena EG
Adoration of SERPENTS.
Tue next thing that comes under Confideration is, the Wor-
Jhip of Serpents, which 1s obferved thro’ all the Pagan Antiquity.
Tue Devil, who, under the Shape of a Serpent, tempted our
firft Parents, has, with unwearied Application, labour’d to deify
that Animal, as a Trophy of his firft Victory over Mankind.
The Conqueft made by the o/d Serpent in Paradi/e, and the won-
derful Cures made by the Shadow of a Serpent in the Wilderne/s,
contributed very much towards making that hateful Creature fo
venerable in the Eyes of fo many Nations.
Gop having paft Sentence upon the Serpent, Satan con/ecrates
that Form in which he deceived the Woman, and introduces it
into the World as an Object of religious Veneration : This he did
with a view to enervate the Force of the divine Oracle, the
Seed of the Woman. Scarcely a Nation upon Earth, but he has
tempted to the groffeft Idolatry, and in particular got himfelf to
be worfhipped in the hideous Form of a Serpent.
Tue Almighty forefeeing this general Delufion, guarded the
World againft it, by infpiring Men with the greateft Averfion to
that venemous Creature, and yet was the Tempter ador’d in moft
places under the Appearance of a Serpent. If you fay, that Men
worthip other Creatures; I anfwer, Thofe are beneficial to Man-
kind, and not fo odious and hurtful as thofe who carry Poifon
in their Tails and Teeth.
How furprizing this! thata Serpent, a Beaft to which Man-
kind has a ftrong natural Averfion, thould be ador’d by Creatures
of Reafon, and yet nothing more common, as will appear by the fal-
lowing Inftances from Antiquity.
EGYPT was a Country that abounded with Variety of Ser-
pents, and where they were generally held in the greateft Vene-
ration, ‘The fupreme God was reprefented by them in the Form
of
* Sanchaniatho’s Phenician Hift. by the Learned Bp. Cumberland, vol. i. p. 20,24-
OF, SERPENT S.
of a Serpent with a Hawk’s Head, becaufe of the wonderful
Agility of that Bird. We fee no Table of Ofris and Ifs, two
Egyptian Idols, without a Serpent joined to them *. This Js
married Ofiris, King of that Country, and govern’d with fo
much Wifdom and Gentlenefs, that the Egyptians paid divine
Honours to them, who had been fuch Bleflings to the Land.
In Egypt is a Serpent of the Afpick Kind, called Thermutis,
to which they gave divine Worfhip; therefore crown’d with it
the Statue of their Goddefs J/s. In the Corners of the Temples,
they built little Chapels under ground, where they carefully fed
this Thermutic Serpent, as a facred Genius +.
Tue Egyptians alfo paid divine Honours to the Crocodile, that
monftrous kind of Serpent, particularly the Inhabitants of 4r/inoé,
and they who dwelt in the Neighbourhood of Thebes, and the
Lake Meris; among whom ’twas fed by their Priefts with Bread,
Wine, Flefh, and diverfe Rarities +.
THHAUTUS, fo often mentioned by Sanchoniatho, attri-
buted fome Deity to the Nature of the Serpent; an Opinion ap-
proved by the Phenicians, therefore look’d upon as holy and im-
mortal, and comes into the facred Myfteries ||.
THeEy reprefented the World by a Circle, in the middle of
which was a Serpent, reprefenting the good Demon, or Genius
of the World, by which ’tis animated, and is a Symbol of the
Almighty Creator. Behold here the Blafphemy of Satan, in
giving to God the Form of a Serpent, which he had borrow’d
himfelf to make war againft God in Paradife. They fometimes
reprefented their Gods with the Bodies of Serpents, and honour’d
thofe odious Animals with divine Worfhip, as Symbols of po/lo,
of the Sux, and of Medicine, and were put into the Charge of
Ceres and Proferpine.
HERODOTUS obferves, that in his time, near Thebes,
there were to be feen tame Serpents, adorn’d with Jewels, and
confecrated to ‘fupiter, which did no harm to any body : When
they died, they were buried in Fupiter’s Temple **. Alan eae
F f sh 0)
* Macrobii Oper. Sat. cap. xx.
+ Alian de Animalibas, lib. x. Conrad. Gefner. de Serp. p.32-
+ In Fonftonus de Quadruped, cap. viii. p. 142.
|| Eujeb. Prep. Evangel. 1. i. c.10. from Philo Biblius, the Tranflator of
Sanchon. i
** —-__Ex Crocodilis alust. appendentes auribus vel gemmas——facris im urnis
fepeliant. Euterpe, lib. ii, p. 186.
218
A NATURAL HISTORY
of domeftick Serpents, that were in the Houfes of the Egyptians,
and look’d upon as hou/hold Gods ; and of another Serpent wor-
fhipped in a Tower at Melitus in Egypt, that had a Prieft and
other Officers attending it, and ferved every day upon an Altar
with Meal kneaded up with Honey, which the next day was
found to be eaten. In Melite Eg. Draco divinis honoribus afi-
citur in turrt quadam ... adfunt et facerdotes & minifiri; menfa...
ex farina fubacta.... Herod, lib. 11. cap. 17.
Tu & Phenicians alfo facrificed to Dragons, calling them theiz
good Angels, their propitious and kind Spirits. Nothing more
common in the Heathen Religion, than the Appearance of a Ser-
pent in fome Form or other.
Tut Babylonians worthipped a Dragon, which the Prophet
Daniel, by a Commiffion trom the King, killed; which, one
would think, was fufficient to convince the Royal Idolater of his
egregious Stupidity in worfhipping a Creature as Confervator of
Mankind, that could not preferve itsown Life. They reprefented.
the World by a Circle in the Form of a Greek Theta ©, and the
good Demon, by a Serpent in the midft of it; under which Figure,
the Protectors of Countries and Cities, called tutelary Gods, were
worthipped.
Tue Arabians reputed Serpents /acred Beings, and therefore
would allow no Violence to be offered to them; and this Super-
{tition yet remains among thofe People, according to Veflingius,
fays my Author. They take them into their Houfes, feed and
worfhip them as the Gemz7, or Guardians of the Place: Not only.
. Men, but every kind of Things, had its peculiar Genius. Two
were afligned to each Perfon, a good and evil Genius, and thofe
were thought to attend them from the Cradle to the Grave. We
read of a facred Dragon that was kept in Phrygia in Afia Minor,
whofe Refidence was in a Wood, dedicated to Diana, Goddefs
of the Woods.
Amone other ftrange Animals in the Ea/f-Indies, Alexander
found in a Cave, a monjftreus Dragon, which the Inhabitants
counted facred, and was adored by them, and daily fupplied with
Food: The poor, ignorant, fuperftitious People, humbly addreft
the Conqueror, not to attack that oly Place, and difturb the Re-
pofe of their God. The victorious Army hearing its hideous and
dreadful Roarings, were nota little terrify’d; they only faw its
monftrous Head, when ftretch’d out of its Manfion, and its Eyes
appeared
OF SERPENTS.
appeared to them to be as big as a large Macedonian Buckler, a
Species of defenfive Armour *.
Tue King of Calicut (in the Eaft-Indies, the moft powerful
of all the Malabar Princes) caufes little Cottages to be erected
_ for facred Serpents, to guard them againft the Inclemency of the
Weather, and ’tis made Death to hurt them, being they are look’d
upon as heavenly Spirits; and they believe them to be fuch for
this Reafon, becaufe they kill Men fo fuddenly by the Wound they
give, which 1s only a little Puntture, and would not prove fatal if
given by other Creatures.
Ir is obferved by fome, that Serpents at this day are highly
honour’d in the Kingdom of Calicut, on this fide the Ganges,
where the Inhabitants call their King Samorz, or Zamorin, that
is, Sovereign Emperor, and God upon Earth. The Dragon be-
ing a Serpent of the vigilant Tribe, was conftituted and made
Guardian of their Houfes, of their oracular Temples, and of all
their Treafures.
Tuese Protectors of Placesand Poffeffions, they call’d Tute-
lary Gods, and were worfhipp’d by them under the Symbol of
Serpents, without whofe Sanétion no Methods of Protection were
available.
Ir is remarkable, that where the Figure of two Serpents was
erected in any place, it was look’d upon asa Sign of confecrated
Ground; that is, that the Place was holy, being dedicated to fome
God ; for which Superftition they are ridiculed by one of their own
Writers, viz. Perfius the Satirift, that lived under Nero, who
tells us, that Children were forbid to empty themfelves in thofe
Places, and not fo much as make-water, for the Place is holy,
as appears by the Piéture of the two Serpents; the Language of
which is, Profane not holy Ground.
Woutp you, Sir, have your Poem pafs for a facred Com-
pofure, then paint two Serpents in the Front of it.
Beuwocp here the Original of that Popith Superftition, which
forbids Men to make-water in the Church-Yard -.
At Alba, ina Wood not far from Funo’s Temple, is a Dragon
worfhipp’d by the Inhabitants, and for their greater Honour, fed
by Virgins, thereby intimating, that Innocence was a proper At-
tendant on the Gods.
Ff 2 In
* Conrad. Gefuer. p. 44,45. Gyllius.
+ Pinge duos angues, pueri, facer eft locus, extra
Me ite nme ms Satir. i.
219
220
ceafed.
A NATURAL HISTORY
In Epirus, fouth of Macedonia, is a certain place facred to
Apollo, and wall’d about, within which are kept /acred Dragons,
fed likewife by a Virgin Prieftefs, uncloathed, which they believe
to be moft acceptable to their idol Gods*; called by fuvenal,
one of their own Poets, wenching Gods.
Tue Eprroticks, who highly venerated Apollo, honour’d his
Temple witha confecrated Dragon, which they worfhipp’d in fo-
lemn remembrance of his killing the Pythonzce Serpent. It were
well if the fame Spirit of Gratitude reign’d amongft Britons, to-
wards the Heroes that deliver'd their Country from the great Ec-
clefiaftical Dragon, by the glorious Revolution.
Near Lavinium was a Grove of ferpentine Gods, dedicated:
to Funo of Argos, which was a City in Peloponnefus (famous for
the Shrine of 4/culapius) now the Morea, one of whofe Rivers is
called Styx ; or rather a Well, whofe Water is fo cold and vene-
mous, that it often kills fuch that drink thereof; and therefore
defign’d by the Poets, to be a River of Hell: "Tis faid by fome,
that Alexander was poifon’d with it.
Ir’s well known what Worfhip was paid to the Serpent at
Epidaurus, a Peleponnefian City, and the Manner how ’twas pre-
tended that Serpent was brought to Rome, which is as follows,
VIZ.
THE Romans being forely diftreft by a Plague, they fent a
Galley with Ambafladors to Epzdaurus, to bring the Serpent con-
fecrated to AA/culapius to Rome, which of its own accord went
aboard the Galley, and which was landed in the Ifle of Tyber,
where divine Honours were paid to it; upon which the Plague
Take it as reprefented by the Hiftorian, who fays,
.... THAT the Plague raging terribly at Rome, and in the
Vicinity, above three Years, did not abate, by any divine or hu-
man Remedy, tho’ Men had tried both ; therefore by the Coun-
fel of the Delphic Oracle, ten Ambaffadors were fent to fetch
the Statue of /culapzus, that was ador’d in the Body of the great
Serpent; hereupon, a very ftrange thing enfued, and manifeitly
true, both from many faithful Hiftorians, and building the Tem-
ple (dedicated to it) in the Ze of Tyder.
WHEN the Roman Ambaffadors had delivered their Commands
to the Epzdaurians, who brought them into the Temple of A/-
culapius
® ABlian. lib. ii. cap. 2, ispere your, Fapevac.
OF SERPENTS.
culapius.... while they were admiring a huge Shrine, a great
Serpent fliding of a fudden from the Adytum (which was a Place
of Retirement in the Pagan Temples, where Oracles were given,
into which none but Priefis were admitted) upon fight. of it the
Priefts, in a devout Pofture, faid to the Company, that the Deity
Shrouded itfelf in that Form, and when it appear’d in this Fa/hion,
*twas look’d upon as a happy Omen.
Tu E Serpent was feen for two Days in the Temple, and af-
terwards difappeared, but on the third Day it paft thro’ the Croud
(which gazed on and worfhip’d) and went dire@ly to the Port
where the Roman Galley ftood; and having enter’d into it, laid
itfelf down in the Cabin of 2, Ogulnius, the chief Ambaffador,
They fet fail from thence....and foon arrived at Rome. The
whole City came out to fee this wonderful Thing Altars were
built, Incenfe burnt, and Sacrifices offer’d. The Serpent fwam
over to the J/le of Tyber, (which afterwards was called Z/cula-
pius’s Ife) and fince was never feen,
Tue Senate concluding this Ifland to be the Place chofen
by the God, decreed that a’ Temple fhould be built for E/culapius
there——whereupon the Plague ceafed. The Temple grew fa-
mous for rich Offerings, in Confideration of their Deliverance
from the Plague by that Deity *.
VALERIUS MAXIMUS fays, that the Priefts looking
into the Szby/s Books, ob{ferved there was no other way to reftore
the City to its former Health, but by bringing the Image of Z/-
culapius from Epidaurus ... upon which Ambafladors were fent },
Tue Poets and Mythologifts, in order to fhew there was no
Diftemper but A/culapius could cure, faid, he raifed the Dead.
Thus at the Requeft of Dzana, he reftor’d Hzppolytus to Life,
who had been torn to pieces by his Horfes. We can’t doubt of
the Credulity of the People in thinking him rank’d among the
Gods, after fo many Temples, In{criptions, and Medals dedicated
to his Memory.
Tue moft famous Temples confecrated to At/culapius, were
that of Epidaurus {, that in the Ifle of Co, that of Cyrene, that
of Pergamos, that in the Ifle of Tyéer |).
As
* Livy. lib. xi. Quere, Whether the Hiftorian’s Faith kept pace with his Pen 2
T Val. Maxim. \ib.i. cap. 8. See Ovid. Metamorph. lib. 25.
ft Pliny Nat. Hift. lib. 4. c. 5.
|| For thefe, fee Strabo, Val. Maxi nus, Hercdot. Livy.
; #
225
A NATURAL HISTORY
As to the Infcriptions in honour of A feulapius, Gruterus
has thefe following, viz.
Atfculapio, Hygee, & ceteris Diis G Deabus.
Deo Hfculapio, & Hygea, confervatoribus.
Deo Afculapu, & Dee Hygee.
N.B. Tue Title of Confervator, or Saviour, was the ordi-
nary Elogium of 4/culapius.
In the Ifle of Co, there was a Coin whereon Afculapius was
called the Saviour ; and fo on a Coin of Ancyra. Games are alfa
mentioned, inftituted in honour of him as Saviour. The Symbol
of A/culapius was a Serpent, or Dragon, about a little Rod, as
may be feen in feveral Medals, and by the Teftimony of the
Poet *, Wherever he was worfhip’d in Statues of a human Figure,
a Staff was put into his Left-hand, with a Serpent about it.
T urs feems to be the reafon why Antiquity reprefents the firft
Mafters of Phyfick (as Hermes, Aifculapius, Hippocrates, in their
Statues and Medals) with a Viper added to their Figure; and alfo
why they worfhip’d thofe Phyfczans under the Fori of Serpents +.
THe Serpent of A/culapius, the reputed God of Phyfick, had
its Rife from the miraculous Cures done by Mo/es’s Serpent in the
Camp of J/rac/: Serpents of bright and golden Colour were all
counted facred to H/culapzus, and were cicurd, or made tame by
human Arts. A Dragon was ufually annex'd to his Image, and
to that of Health, nothing being thought ¢vaz/ab/e without the
Prefence of a Serpent.
At Pella in Macedonia, the Royal Seat, and Alexander's Birth-
place, were Dragons of a large Bulk, but of a gentle Nature,:
maintain’d at the Expence of the Government, as Creatures bear-
ing a facred Charaéfer, and worthy of the publick Regard. Be-
caufe many tame Serpents were kept in that Place, the fabulous
Poets faid, Alexander was born of a Serpent.
THe People of Argos in Greece, had Serpents in fuch great
Veneration, that no-body was fuffer'd to kill chem with impunity f.
The
* Ovid. Metam. lib. 5. Qualis in ede.: . Effe folet, bacultumque tenens agrefte
finiltra.
+ Salomonis Cellarii—Orizines G Antiquitates Medice. Printed at Hall in Saxony.
$ lian. lib. xii. cap. 34. :
OF SERPENTS.
The Pagan Temples were wont to be haunted with Serpents, in
fo much that it grew into a Phrafe of Speech, the /acred Serpent *.
And thus Serpents are deified and folemnly enrolled among the
Gods.
SANCHONIATHON, a Phenician Hiftoriographer, and
Philo Biblius, who tranflated his Antiquities, have left usa full
Account of the Origin of the Apotheofis, or Canonization of Ser-
pents +; which leads me to fay fomething of what the Ancients
called Apotheofis of departed Souls, and the f{trange Ceremonies
ufed in the Afotheofis or Deification of the deceafed Emperor, who
had deferved well of their Country.
APOTHEOSTS among the Ancients was a Pagan Cere-
mony whereby Emperors and great Men were placed among the
Gods, called alfo Dezfication, and Confecration: Temples and
Altars were erected to the new Deities, wiz. Serpents and Men,
Sacrifices offered to them; and for that end, Colleges of Priefts
were inftituted for the Honour of thefe Demi-Gods.
IT was one of the Doétrines of Pythagoras, which he bor-
rowed from the Chaldeans, that ufeful and virtuous Perfons, after
their Death, were raifedinto the Order of the Gods. Hence the
Ancients deified all the Inventors of Things that were beneficial
to Mankind, and thofe who had done Services of Importance to
their Country.
By degrees thefe ew Gods grew very numerous. One of
their own, Poets rallying them for frequent Deifications, intro-
duces poor Atlas, who is faid to bear the Heavens on his Shoulders,
complaining, that he was ready to fink under the Number and
Weight of fo many zew Gods, as were every day coin’d, and
added to the Heavens, which made his Shoulders to warch.
N.B. Atlas in Anatomy is the Name of the firft Vertebra of the
Neck, which fupports the Head, and is the higheft, fo called in
allufion to the famous Mountain 4élas in Africa, {uppos’d to be
the higheft in the World, fo that it feems to hold up the Hea-
vens; and alfoto the Fable that makes 4t/as King of Maurz-
tania in that Country, to bear up the vifible Heavens. I now
proceed to the Deicription which we have in Herodian, a Greek
Hiftorian in the third Century, who in {peaking of the Apotheo/is
5g
* Sacer anguis.
} Sanchoniarhon is fuppofed by fome to be cotemporary with Gideow.
223
A NATURAL HISTORY
of the Emperor Severus, gives usa very full Account of that ftrange
Ceremony, wz.
....- AFTER the Body of the deceafed Emperor had been
burnt with the ufual Solemnities, they placed an Image of Wax
perfectly like him, but of a fickly Afpect, on a large Bed of
Ivory, covered with Cloth of Gold, which they expofed to pub-
lick View at the Entrance of the Palace-Gate.
Tue greateft Part of the Day the Senate fat ranged on the
left fide of the Bed, dreft in Mourning Robes ; the Ladies of
the firft Rank fitting on the right fide, in plain and white Robes,
without any Ornaments. ... This lafted for feven Days fuccef-
fively ; during which, the Phyficians came from time to time to
vifit the Sick, always making their Report that he grew worfe,
till at length they publifh’d it, that he wasdead.
Tuis done, the young Senatorsand Roman Knights took the
Bed of State upon their Shoulders, carrying it thro’ the Vza /acra
to the old Forum, where the Magiftrates ufed to diveft themfelves
of their Offices: There they fet it down between two kinds
of Amphitheatres ; in the one, were the Youth, and in the other
the Maidens of the firft Families in Rome, finging Hymns {fet to
folemn Airs in praife of the Deceafed.
Tuosre Hymns ended, the Bed was carried out of the City
into the Campus Martius, in the middle of which Place was e-
rected a kind of fquare Pavilion ; the Infide thereof was full of
combuftible Matter, and the Outfide hung with Cloth of Gold,
and adorned with Figures of Ivory, and various Paintings.
Over this Edifice were feveral others, like the firft in Form
and Decoration, but lefs; always diminifhing, and growing flen-
derer towards the Top, anda great many aromatick Perfumes,
and odoriferous Fruits and Herbs were thrown all around: Ajiter
which, the Knights made a Proceffion in folemn Meafures about
the Pile; feveral Chariots ran round it, thofe who conducted
them being clad in purple Robes, and bearing the Images of the
greateft Roman Emperors and Generals.
THis Ceremony ended, the new Emperor came to the Cz-
tafalco or Pile with a Torch in his hand, and at the fame time
Fire was put to it on all fides by the Company, the Spices and
all Combuftibles kindling all at once. While this was doing,
they let fly from the Top of the Building an Eaglk, which
r mounting
OF SERPENTS.
mounting into the Air with a Firebrand, carried the Soul of the
dead Emperor along with it into Heaven, asthe Romans believ’d;
and thenceforward he was ranked among the Gods. Tis for this
Reafon that the Medals wherein the 4potheofes are reprefented,
have ufually an Altar with Fire upon it, or however an Eagle
taking its Flight into the Air, and fometimes two Eagles *.
A Certain Emperor being asked, what he had done to
merit an Apotheofis? We anfwered, He had always ftudied to re-
jemble the Gods. And being afked again, In what did he endea-
vour to be likethem? Heanfwered, In having as few Wants
as poffible of my own, and doing good in the moft extenfive Way to
others.
TuerReE is noPlace fo remote in the World, but has been
polluted with this monftrous Idolatry, of wor/hipping Serpents.
The northern Hiftorians tell us, the People of Lithuania in Po-
land worthip’d Serpents ; and ’tis not long ago, fince that grofs
Idolatry was abolifh’d, of which Sigé/mund Baron of Herber/iein,
gives us this memorable Story, viz.
— RETURNING, fays he, from Mafovia near Wilna, my
Hoft acquainted me, he had bought a Hive of Bees, from one
of thefe Serpent-Worfhippers, whom with much ado he had per-
fuaded to kill the Serpent, and worfhip the true God: Within
a while after coming that Way, he found the poor Fellow mi-
ferably tortured and deformed, his Face wrinkl’d and turn’d awry,
and demanding the Caufe of it, he anfwer’d, uzz.
THAT this fudgment was inflitted upon him for killing his
God, and that he was like to endure heavier Torments if he did
not return to his former Worfhip. Which brings to my Mind
a Paflage in one of the Fathers, relating to the Carthagimans,
who having been compelled by Agathocks King of Sicily to
leave off thofe horrid Sacrifices of human Victims to Saturn, for-
bore them a long time : Buta great Calamity being brought
upon them for difufing thofe human Sacrifices; and to atone
for their Neglect, they facrificed at once two hundred Children of
the nobleft Families in Carthage -p.
G But
* Herodian, who writ his Hiftory in 8 Books, from whom we have the Cere-
monies of the Apotheofis of the Roman Emperors, lib. 4.
+ Cum victi effent ab Agathocle rege Siculorum, iratum fibi Deum putaviffe, ita-
que ut diligentius piaculum folverent ducentos nobilium filios immolaffe. Laétan-
tius. Lib. 1. Sect. 21. p. 67. Luzd. Batav.
Os
226
A NATURAL HISTORY
BuT toreturn tothe Baron of the North, who adds, That
in his Time, the People in Samogitia, Eat of the Baltick Sea,
did ftill pay divine Honours to a Serpent asa Deity.... Some of
thofe that inhabit the Deferts, adore a four-fosted Serpent,
under the Name of Givoft. Few Families there, are without
Serpents, for their Deme/tich Gods, to whom they give more than
ordinary Veneration, tho’ at the fame time they profefs the Chri-
ftian Faith *, which Fagelfo their Prince received Anno Domini
1386. zbid.
Tue Englifh Cofmographer accounts for them thus, vz.
** The People anciently had Fzre and Serpents for their Gods, |
‘© nourifhing the laft in their Houfes, and keeping the other
“ continually burning; the Priefts of the Temple always adding
“* Fuel, that it might not fail. The Veftal Fire was not kept
more carefully at Rome, nor with greater Ceremony ....To~™
«© this God, (whom they call’d, Lord of the Smoke,) they ufed
“* to facrifice young Pullets, to the other their Cocks -+-.” The
Seed of this Idolatry is fo implanted in them, that ’tis faid, that in
a Village of the King’s, called Lovaniski, their chief City, they
do, tothis day wor/hip Serpents. ibid.
Tue Lithuanians, tis faid, ador’d three Gods, Fire, Weed,
and Serpents. Thefe laft were counted their Guardian Gods. And
according to a certain Hiftorian, this kind of fuperftitious and
diabolical Worfhip continues yet in fome Parts of the Kingdoms
of Norway and Vermolandia ¢.
Tue Inhabitants of Prujia were barbarous and wild in the
higheft degree, having of old no manner of Religion, or next
to none, and firft began with the Worfhip of Serpents ||. There
are Countries in the Indies, fays Furteu, where Serpents are wor-
fhip’d to this day.’
“ARISTOPHANES, in the Comedy entitled Plutus, ob-
ferves that the Deity gave the Sign, w/z. by Aijing; upon which
two monftrous Dragons {kip’d out of the Temple **,
WHEN
* Atlas Exrope, p. 26r. + Heylin’s Cofmogr. lib. 2. Poland p, 143.
t Olaus Magnus, Archbishop of Up/sl. _ Hiftory of the Gorhs.
** Erafim. Stella in the Antiquities of Prujfta. Lib: t.
tt Ove dpaxovr’ sx Te vem Fyagmenta p. 52.
Dixerat hee adytis cum lubricus anguis ab imis.
OF SERPENTS.
Wuen £neas facrificed to the Manes, (the departed Soul)
of his Father Anchifes, he faw a Serpent come out of his
Grave, which he concluded to be either the Tutelar God of his
Father, or of that Place, which was counted a good Omen.
W £ have an Account of fome Prieftsin 4fa that expofe to
publick View a Serpent in a brazen Veffel, attended with a great
Variety of Mufick. The Serpent appears in an ereé Pofture,
opens its Mouth, and inftead of a forked Tongue, appears the
Head of a beautiful Virgin *.
NICHOLAS de Lyra makes mention of fuch another idle
Conceit, viz. That the Serpent affumed the Face of a beautiful
Maid, when it tempted Eve. N.B. In the German Bibles print-
ed before Luther, among other Figures may be feen that of a Ser-
pent with the Face of a very handfome Maid.
In fhort, fo great was the Devotion paid to Serpents, that
Perfons and Things were denominated from them: Yea, fome
would be thought to proceed from Serpents, as the higheft De-
gree of Honour. Cadmus's Companion was called a Serpent, fo
the Giant in Homer, and a certain Prophet in Paufanias.
In the Primitive Church were an heretical Se@; called Ophites,
that is Serpents. In Cyprus,and about the Hellefpont, were a certain
People that went by the Name Serpent. Soa Soothfayer in Mef-
fenia, Ge. But thefe came fhort of Alexander the Great, and
Scipio Africanus, who were faid to be born of Serpents, which they
look’d upon to be the dbrighte/t Infiguia in their E/cutcheon'; but
more of this Serpentine Pride in the next Chapter.
In fuch wonderful Efteem were Serpents among thens, that
all manner of Creatures were called by their Name, as Stars,
Animals, Plants, Trees, Herbs, Rivers, Stones, Hlands, Proverbs.
... . Nothing was accounted Divine and Grand, unlef graced
by a Serpent -+. From this Divinity afcrib’'d to Serpents, Phee
recides took occafion to make a Diflertation concerning the Deity
called Ophion, from Os a Serpent f.
* Phil, Melanchton. + Conradus Gefner. + Eufeb. Praeparat. Evang.
Gee CHAP.
229
228
A NATURAL HISTORY
CHAP give lV,
; CoNTENTs.
Reafons for worfbipping Serpents, feem to rife from Mifapplication
of fome Scripture Paffages: But efpecially, 1. From the Tri-
umphs of the Paradifaic Serpent. Pagan Haiftory from Motes.
In the primitive Church, a Sect of Chriftians worfbip’d Serpents,
and faid the Serpent in Paradifeé was a good Creature. 2.
From the miraculous Cures done by the brazen Serpent. Alexan-
der affected the Honour of being begot by a Serpent, ador'd as a
Ged, by a Decree of the Priefts.
WW? AT Reafon can be afigned for giving religious Worfhip
to Serpents? I anfwer,
Ir is no eafy Matter to find out the Original of Pagan Idola-
try, having no authentick Records of thofe remote Times, there-
fore Conjectures, or nothing muft content the honeft Enquirer :
Something may be offer’d, without going beyond our Depth.
Before I proceed, it may be proper to obferve, viz. That Know-
ledge f{prung from the Sons of Noah, who doubtlefs inftructed
their Succeffors in the Hiftory of the Creation, the Conqueft of
Paradife by a Serpent, that introduced the Knowledge of Good
and Evil upon Earth.
TuHose whom we call Heathens, at firft were Members of the
true Church ; the further Men went from the Spring, the Streams
_ grew more muddy, and ftrange Conftructions were put upon the
Hiftory of Adamand Eve, Noah, andhis Progeny, which in pro-
cefs of Time was metamorphofed into a Narrative of Fooleries and
fabulous Gods.
So the Mo/aick Hiftory of their Travels thro’ the Wildernefs,
and the Promulgation of the Law upon Mount Szva7, were ftrange
and ftupendous Events, that foon fpread over the Nations in fome
Shape or other.
In the Phenician Theology, we find the Creation defcribed,
almoft in the Terms ufed by Mofes. Diodorus Siculus fays, the
Antients livd upon Roots and Fruits. The Phenician Re-
cords mention Uyoris, i.e. Adam, the firft that wore Garments
made of Animal Skins. The Vulcan of the Heathen ue as
ubal-
Oh. SE RP EN Ts:
Tubal-cain of Mojes, (Gen. iv, 22.) the firft Artificer in Brafs and
Iron: Plato’s Atlanticus is a Fable founded upon the Hiftory of
Noab’s Flood: The Fable of the Giants {torming Heaven, is ta-
ken frem the Builders of the Tower of Babel, as before: Yea,
fays a Learned Father (after Numenius, the celebrated Pythagorean
and Platonif?) what is Plato but Mofes in an Athenian Drefs*?
But to be more particular,
1. SATAN, who conducted the War in Eden, difplay’d his Art
under the Form of a Serpent, which Mo/es reprefents as a Creature
of fuperior Wifdom, and Illuminator of Mankind. Now the
Tradition, that the ff? Serpent had rot only the Gift of fpeaking,
but of communicating Science, and had held a Conference with
the firft Woman, to the vaft Increafe of her Knowledge, might
at laft {well to fuch a degree, that ignorant People might attri-
bute to that Serpent, and her Race, a kind of Divinity; and for
this Reafon alfo, becaufe in the Perfections of the Mind fhe ex-
ceeded our firft Parents, who being conftituted Governors of the
Earth, muft be fuppofed to be furnifh’d with extraordinary Ac-
complifhments: But, fays Tradition, here is one who infufed
greater Knowledge into them, and made them more wife; and
they, for contefting with the Wi/dom of the Serpent, were turned
out of Paradife, and ordain’d their Dwelling to be among the
Beafts of the Field.
SuReELy, might the People fay, fo great a Being as'this Ser-
pent merits our awful Regards. Now, how far fuch Thoughts
might operate in thofe early days of Ignorance and Superttition,
I determine not: The Serpent indeed, is faid to be more fubtle
than the Beafts of the Field, but not more wife than Adam and
Eve.
It is more ftrange, to think that in the primitive Church there
were certain Hereticks call’d Opbites, took their Name from
Ophis +, who worfhipped the Serpent that betray’d Eve, and af-
cribed all forts of Knowledge to that Animal, maintain’d ’twas a
good Creature, and that our firft Parents were inftructed by it to
know Good and Evil. Yea, they believed, ‘‘ the Serpent that
“* tempted
3 Ts yep ect Maarav % Moons arrintwr. Quid enim eft Plato, nifi Mofes qui loquitur
“ittice? Or, Quid enim aliud eft Plato, quam Mofes Atticiffans? Clementis
Alexandrini Opera, Strom. lib1. Colovie p. 342.
t A Greek word that fignifies a Serpent.
229
230
A NATURAL HISTORY
“tempted Eve was the Chri/?, who afterwards came down and
‘¢ was incarnate in the Perfon of “fe/us: That it was Fe/us, but
“not the Chriff, that fuffer’d; for which reafon they made al!
“ Profelytes to their Sect, to renounce Fes *.” If a Sect of
Chriftians fpeak after this manner, what Ideas muft the Heathen
form of things ?
One of the Fathers {peaking of thefe Hereticks, obferves how
they affirm’d, ——That Wifdom made it/elf a Serpent——had given
Knowledge to Man, and that the Pofition of Man’s Bowels,
winding about like Serpents, fhews that there is in us a hidden
Subftance that engenders the Figure of Serpents-+-. Surely thofe
Fathers of the Church were Children in Underftanding, that gave
way to fuch myftical Conundrums. Call them no more Fathers,
but Children of Antiquity.
Tuese Hereticks, in the Confecration of the Eucharift, al-
ways had a Serpent ready in a Box, which they produced on that
Occafion, making it come out by certain Charms, and lick the
Bread, and having kifled the fame, they eat itt. Another Hifto-
tian expreffes it thus, vz. ‘‘ When their Priefts celebrated their
«* Myfteries, they made one of thefe Creatures to come out of
“* his Hole, and after he had roll’d himfelf upon the Things that
*< were to be offer’d in Sacrifice, they faid Fe/us Chrift had fanéti-
“« fied them, and then gave them to the People to worfhip them ||.”
N. B. 1 don’t apprehend how the Learned Abbot makes them
bring in the Name e/us here, a Name which in the fame Page
he fays, they obliged their Profelytes to renounce.
Turs ftrange Superftition feems to be derived from the Hea-
then, who at the Feafts of Bacchus, ufed to carry a Serpent, and
to cry, Evia, Evia**: And Evia, fays Clemens Alexandrinus,
if it be afperated, Heviz, fignifies in the Hebrew, a female Ser-
pent. Dr. Lightfoot obferves, that there being no fuch Word in
the Hebrew, Clemens muft mean the Chaldee, in which Hivia
fignifies a Serpent.
2. THE Reputation gain’d by theSerpent in Paradife, was heigh-
ten’d by the wonderful Cures done by the brazen Serpent in the
Wildernefs.
* Calmet.
+ Irenaeus adv. Heref. (lib. 1. tap. 34.—/ophiam ferj entem f:&zm—) who flou-
rifh’d in the clofe of the 2d Century.
{ Bingh. Index Heret. | Calmez’s Hificr, Did. v1. ii- p. 668.
_ 3* Evia, suse
OF SERPENTS.
Wildernefs, As this ftrange Occurrence was capable of various
Gloffes, fo it muft undergo different Conftructions. The Brazen
Serpent was brought to Canaan, where ’twas kept in remembrance
of the miraculous Cures their Forefathers had received from it in
the Wildernefs; and, ‘tis probable, the J/raelites themfelves were
the firft that paid divine Honours to it, and the Idolatry might
Paes the days of the Judges; others fay, under the Kings of
udah *,
s Ir lay quiet there, until thofe Days, the Children of Ifrael burnt
Incenfe to it. ‘That is, from the days J/rae] began to commit
Idolatry, to the days of Hezekiah ; who, to prevent the Growth
of that Serpentine Idolatry, drake 7m pieces the brazen Serpent that
Mojes had made. 2 Kings xviii. 4,
Tue Sound of the ftrange Cures done by the brazen Serpent,
foon fpread over the forfaken Nations, who, obferving how the
Wounded were healed by looking at it, conceived it to be a pro-
per Inftrument to be their Mediator, and confequently a fit Object
for their Adoration, when even the Wounded in J/rae/, by ad-
drefling to its Shadow, were healed.
3. Ir is moft probable, that the Adoration of Serpents by the
Pagans, fprung from thefe two Fountains,
THE Wifdom of the Serpent in Paradife, and the miraculous
Cures done by the Shadow of a Serpent in the Wildernefs ; which
were improved by the Devil to fecure his Honour and Intereft,
who wanted not Priefts to difplay the Glories of their Character,
to make the Serpent honourable in the fight of his Vaflals. From
hence, the Egyptians, Phenicians, yea moft Nations, did imagine
the Serpent to have fome Divinity im its Nature, and for that
reafon (as hinted before) honour’d it with facred Homage; this
the Devil did, with a view to leflen Men’s Efteem for the Al-
mighty Creator.
Hence alfo fome Men of fuperior Dignity have affected to
be efteem’d more than meer Men, making this as an Argument,
that they were Jegot by Serpents, as we obferved already, therefore
I thall only add, vz.
Tuat Alexander the Great, after he had taken Rhodes, Egypt
and Cilicia, addrett fupiter Hammon to know his Original, for his
Mother
*® Furiet, vol.ii. from Rabbi Kimchi, who fays they burnt Incenfe to it, from
the time the Kings of Zxdab had corrupted themuelves .... . 17 lecsz.
231
23
A NATURAL: HISTOR Y
Mother Olympias had confeft to his Father Phrlip, that Alexan-
der was not begot by him, but by a Serpent of vaft Bulk; where-
upon Philip was divorced from his Wife O/ympias, and Alexander
was faluted Son of Hammon, and by Order of the Priefts, his Com-
panions were enjoin’d to worfhip him as a God, and not asa
King.
ALEXANDE R,when he hadconquer’d Darzus III. farnam’d
Codomannus, and was poffeft of the Perfian Empire, writ to the
Grecians, that they fhould decree him to be a God. Hereupon
feveral Decrees were made: The Lacedemonians expreft their
Compliance in this fhort Decree, viz. Fora/much as Alexander
would be a God, let him be a God. Thus with Laconick Brevity,
fafhionable among the Lacedemonians, they humour’d and repro-
ved the Pride of their King at once *.
VARRO was of Opinion, that all gallant and heroick Men
fhould believe themfelves, tho’ falfly, to iffue from the Gods....
that upon this Suppofition, they might attempt great things
with moreCourage, and profecute them with more Ardency ; and
tho’ the Motive was but imaginary, yet might produce glorious
Effects +. When Varro writ this, ’tisprobable he had Alexander the
Great in his view.
SucH 1s their Opinion of their King in Chzza, that they think
he is defcended from the Race of fome Demi-God, and fo adore
him accordingly. ‘They believe there is fome Divinity in his
Blood, in fo much that he never marries any but his next Rela-
tives, for fear of ftaining the Royal Blood f.
AmonG the Antients, Serpents were Emblems of Power;
therefore Epaminondas, the brave Theban General, to encourage
his Army againft a powerful Enemy, bruz/ed the Head of a Serpent
before them as a Prognoftick of Victory.
Tauus King Fames I. tho’ the Dupe of all Chriftendom, fays a
certain Gentleman, yet was the grand Idol of the Court-Clergy.
That Pedantry which would have brought a School-Boy under
the juft Difcipline of the Rod, in him was reprefented by his pa-
rafitical Preferment-hunting Ecclefiafticks, as divine Eloquence,
and the Infpiration of the Almighty... .
CUGAyaY
© Eresdy Aaetavdpos Gouaerat Oz32 evar Zoo Os35- fBliani varie Hik. lib. ii. Cp. Xix.
+ Ex Diis genitos— Axg. de Civitate Dei. cap. 4.
$ Howel’s Londinopolis. p. 384.
OF SERPENTS.
CHAP. VI.
Reafons for worfhipping hurtful as well as ufeful Creatures, founded
on a Notion of two eternal contrary Principles: They believe God
was good, and could not be the Author of moral Evil, therefore
fram'd the Ditheiftical Dottrine; an Error, efpoufed by fome
primitive Chriftians, confuted by the Sentence paft upon the Ser-
pent. Reafons for worfhipping different Species of Animals by
the Egyptians.
HENCE arifes the Honour given by Heathens to diffe-
rent Species of Beings, to the noxious and hurtful, as
well as to the falutary and beneficent Tribe ?
PROBABLY, it might be from their obferving the Mixtures
f Good and Evil in the vifible Creation, when as yet in their
infantile State of Knowledge: The reafon of this they could no
otherwife account for, but by giving into the Notion of two di/tinét
andependent governing Powers ; the one a good, the other an evil
Genius : accordingly they worfhipped Creatures that were ufeful,
as being the Minifters of the good Genius; and thofe that were
hurtful they paid Homage to, out of fervile Fear, and to ingra-
tiate themfelves into their Favour. In the Morning they wor-
fhipped the ce/e/fial Gods; in the Evening, the zzfernal: On the
Plain they worfhipped the terreftrial Gods, on Hills the fuperna-
tural ; in Groto’s and Caves, the infernal.
HENCE it is they aflerted a Duplicity of Gods, wiz. Two
perceptive felf-exiftent Beings, one the Principle of Good, and
the other of Evil. This Opinion originally {prung from a ftrong,
firm Perfuafion, That God was invariably Good, and therefore could
not poffibly be the Author of the Evil upon Earth. Nor could they
otherwife folve the Difficulty about the Entrance of moral Evil
into our World, but by fuppofing another eternal felf-exiftent evil
Caufe.
Yea, fome among the primitive Chriftians fell into the Error
of afferting this Dzthez/tical DoGtrine; that is, two felf-exiftent
Principles in the Univerfe, to wit, a good God, and an evil Demon.
Thus the Cerdonites, an heretical Seét, that {prung up in the fe-
cond Century, held there were two Gods; one, the Author of
Hh all
233
234
A NATURAL HISTORY
all good, the other, of all evil Things. So the Marcionites held
two contrary Gods; and in the third Century, the Manichees
did the fame.
PerRHAPS, this might be one reafon why God paft Sentence
upon the Devil in the Serpent, in the prefence and hearing of our
firft Parents, viz. to prevent the Error of imagining that there
was.any Principle of Evil, which was independent upon the Al-
mighty. ‘The Sentence paft upon Satan in the Curfe upon the
Serpent, was a Conviction to Adam and Eve of his Dependency
upon the Almighty Creator, before whofe Tribunal he now was.
conftrained to appear, to receive the Sentence merited by thofe,
who make a Lye, and tempt their Fellow-creatures to rebel.
REASONS about the Adoration of different kind of Animals
by the Egyptians.
Ir you afk, that if they worfhipped a Serpent, why did they
pay religious Honours to fo many other Beafts? Janfwer, This
montftrous Idolatry begun in Egypt, and the firft occafion for it
feems to be this, vz.
OSIRIS, a certain King of Egypt, who reign’d with. great
Equity and Mildnefs, having divided his Kingdom into feveral
diftiné Provinces, appointed Prefidents over them, and in their
Banners he placed the Figures, or Pictures of certain Animals, that
bore fome Similitude to the Peculiarities of thofe Countries, over
which they were to prefide : Thus to the Governor, whofe Land
was proper for Tillage, he defign’d an Ox in his Standard, to
which the Inhabitants of that Place paid a particular Veneration,
which in procefs of time was worfhipped by the whole Nation,
for its Ufefulnefs, and as the Symbol of Agriculture: Hence the
Image of O/iris is fet off with Horns.
‘Tu £ golden Calf which Aaron made in the Wildernefs, and
the Calves fet up by ‘fereboam to be worfhipped in his Kingdom, -
were an Imitation of the idolatrous Adoration, which the Egyp-
fians paid to their Bull Apis.
TuaT part of the Country, in which was abundance of Wa-
ter, the King fet a Crocodile (an amphibious Animal) in his Ban-
ner, that was to govern there, which was had in high Venera-
tion, efpecially in the City of Mirra; and at laft the Crocodzle was
worthipped all over. gypr.
WHERE
OF SERPENTS.
WueEReE the Country abounded with Wood, a Dog was fixt
in the Governor's Standard, to which the Egyptzans gave no little
Veneration, efpecially Sportfmen.... asthe Poet obferves*.
THaT which gives fome colour to this Partition of Ofris’s
Kingdom, is, “that God ordained very near the fame thing to be
“ obferved in the Encampments of the J/raelites, when he divided
‘the twelve Tribes into four Bodies, and allotted to one of the
“three Tribes, belonging to each Body, the Figure of an Animal
“to be placed in the Banner: Thus, that of Reuben carried the
‘Figure of a Man; that of “fudah, a Lion; that of Dan, an
“« Fagle; and that of Ephraim, an Ox --”.
AFTER this manner the Egyptzan Monarch did place in their
Banners the Figures of certain Animals, which by degrees were
ufher’d into their Religion and Temples.
N. B. THese Banners thus painted with different Animals,
were fixt upon Poles, between their feveral Provinces, by which
their Bounds were determined. Semiramis, being conquered by
Staurobates, Antiquity feign’d fhe was changed by the Gods into
a Dove, the Bird of Venus, which is the reafon why the Dove
was worfhipped by the Babylonians, and why they gave it in their
Enfign.
I Concriupe this Part with fome Inftances, that are given of
the Sottifhnefs of Pagans in what they called religious Worfhip,
which indeed is almoft incredible, if they were not common, and
well attefted, The Egyptzans did not’ only worthip variety of
Beafts, but alfo'the Figures of them, as the Reprefentatives of
their Gods: Each City and Diftriat entertain’d a peculiar Devo-~
tion for fome particular Beaft or other, in honour of which they
built Temples ; yea, every one of the Pagan Deities had his own
Beaft, Tree and Plant confecrated to him. Thus the Prgeov was
confecrated to Venus ; the Dragon and Owl to Minerva ; the Eagle
to Fupiter; the Cock to Ai/culapius.and the Sux. ‘This, fays Fu-
rieu, isthe true Origin of the Egyptian Idolatry. Ibid. Who
adds, The Egyptians affign’d to their Gods certain Animals, as
their Reprefentatives, and being introduced into the Temples,
as the Images were in fome Chriftian Churches, they at lait be-
Ely gan
* Oppida tota canem venerantur, nemo Dianam. Juvenal. Satir. xv.
The Dog whole Towns, Diasa none implore.
+ Furien’s Crit. Hift, vol. ii. “ 5
8)
235
236
A NATURAL HISTORY
gan to worfhip them. This points out the Impiety of admitting
any fymbolical Reprefentations of Divinity into Places of publick
Worfhip.
NoTu1NG more monftrous than the Divinity of the Pagans ;
their Gods were innumerable. Every thing on Earth, in the
Sea, in the Heavens, yea, and in Hel/, had their peculzar Gods:
If Egyptians, who paft for the wifeft of Mortals, paid religious
Adoration to meer Animals, not only to Serpents, but Apes,
Wolves, yea, Dogs, Cats,.... and to Vegetables, as Onions,
Garlick .... what fhall we think of {tupid Nations, who had no
Claim to Wifdom ?
Even in Athens (that celebrated Fountain of Light) were
more Idols than in all Greece ; yea, fo numerous were their Idols,
that they had almoft as many Gods as Men *.
STRABO, Procopius, and Ben ‘fonas fay, the antient Per-
frans kept and worfhipped their perpetual Fire on Mount Albors,
a Branch of Caucafus. The aponefe worthip the Devil, and the
Head of their Religion is called Dair, whom they worthip as a
God. Atlas.
I SHoutp rather think the Perfians ador’d the fapreme God,
under the Image of Fire, by reafon ’tis Fire gives Motion to every
thing in Nature, and therefore they made it an Emblem of Di-
vinity. :
Ti E Hebrews kept up the holy Fire in the Temple, and the
Veftals were appointed to keep the facred Fire of the Romans.
VULCAN was worthipped among the Antients, and parti-
cularly the Egyptzans, as the Inventor of Fire.
‘Tue People of Egypt exceeded moft Nations in depreciating
Divinity by grofs Superititions and Idolatry; they did not err in
worfhipping Mortals only, but they gave Reverence to Beafts,
Birds, Infeéts, Winds, Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Plants, &c.
whom Rhodius Anaxandrides, one of themfelves, derides in this
manner :
I facrifice to God the Beef, which you adore ;
I broil th’ Egyptian Eels, which you as God implore.
You
* Paeilius poffis Deum, quam hominem inyenire.
ORS fH RIE EIN Ff &.
You fear to eat the Fle/b of Swine, I find it fweet :
You worfhip Dogs, to beat them I think meet,
When they my Store devour *.
THus Yuvenal, another Heathen Poet, ridicules their reti-
gious Fooleries:
Ob happy Nations ! which, of their own fowing,
Have jtore of Gods, in ev'ry Garden growing +.
Tue Images of the Gods, fays Seneca, are worfhipped; thefe
they pray unto and adore, and while they greatly admire them,
at the fame time defpife the Workmen that made them t, Which
alfo Sedulius their Poet {coffs at, faying, Who worfhip Vani-
ties.... defpife their own Maker.... fear the Works of their
own Hands.... What Madnefs! that Man fhould ugly Shapes
adore of Bulls, Birds, Dragons, the vile Half-Dog, or Half-Man,
on Knees for Aid implore ||.——
YeT among the Nations were fome who thought it Impiety
to reprefent their Gods by Images, as the Perfians, Indian Brach-
mans, &c**, Yea, the Romans, for 170 Years, would not allow
Images in their Temples, obferving the Law of Numa. It was
Tarquinius Prifcus that followed the Vanity of the Greczans (a
Nation of all others, excepting Egypt, moft deluded by the old
Serpent) fet up the Images of their Gods, which even the Learned
Varro bewailed and condemned. The Mahometans have a per-
fect Averfion to Images. The ews hate all Images, will not al-
low any in their Houfes, much lefs in Places of Worfhip. But to
proceed :
THe apoftate Indians worfhip both Gods and Devils, over
which they acknowledge a Supreme, who fends forth other Dei-
ties as his Deputies; which they think to be the Souls of good
Men ;
* Bovem colis, ego Deis macto Bovem ;
Tu maximum anguillam, Deum putas: ego,
Obfoniorum credidi, fuavifimum,
Carnes fuillas, tu caves, at gaudeo
His maxime. Canem colis, quem verbero.
Edentem, ubideprehendo, forte obfonium. _
+ Porrum & czpe nefas violare & frangere morfu,
Oh fanctas gentes quibus hc nafcuntur in-hortis
Numina !——— Sat.xv. 1. 8,9, to.
¢ Simulachra Deorum venerantur——fabros qui illa fecére, contemnunt.
t Heu miferi vana colunt——ut volucrem, turpemque Bovem, torvumque Dra-
conem, fem-hominemque canem {upplex homo pronus adore.
** Ho/pinian, de Origine Imaginum.
SA 7/
228
A NATURAL HISTORY
Men; and Devils, the Souls of the Wicked.... They imagine
the Sun and Moon to be Gods; their Idols are reprefented as
Montters of the kind*.
«In the Kingdom of Pegu inthe Eaft, the People are exceed-
“ing fuperftitious, and fcruple not to worfhip the Devil, whom
‘«‘ they reckon the Author of Evil; as they do God, of Good:
‘* And in all Calamities, their firft Addrefles are to the evil Spirit,
“« for Deliverance ; and they make Vows to him, which they
‘* perform upon their Recovery, with the Affiftance of their
“¢ Priefts, whom they call the Devil’s Father, and he direéts them
“to make facred Feafts with Mufick.” Many of them run about
in the Morning with a Torch in one Hand, and Rice in the
other ; pretending to give the Devil his Breakfaft, that he may
not hurt them that Day. Others at their Meals, throw part of
what they have over their Shoulders, to feed him, before they
eat any themfelves. Jdid. p. 662.
Av Tavay in that Country, they replenifh their Houfes with
Viduals, and leave them for three Months, that the Devils may
dwell and feed there, and be favourable all the reft of the Year.
zbid. They havea fort of Monks called Talapoins, who endea-
vour to root out this Devil-Worfhip, but without effect.
Tue Arufpices, were an Order of Prieffs among the antient
Remans, who pretended to foretell Events, chiefly by infpecting
the Entrails of Beafts killed in Sacrifice.... Birds, and celeftial
Appearances. Cato, who was one of the Augurs, confcious of
their impious Politicks, ufed to fay, He wondered how one Prieft
could look at another without laughing in his Face. Thefe Augu-
ral Priefts made a College, or Community ; they bore an Augural
Staff or Wand, called Lztuus, made in form of a Cregier, or a
Bifhop’s Staff, or Shepherd’s Crook, as the Enfign of their Office
and Authority——And what is moft ridiculous is, that no Affair
of Moment could be refolved upon, without firft confulting thefe
holy Cheats; and their Advice, be what it would, was by a De-
cree of the Senate appointed to be exa¢tly and religioufly obferved.
Ornithomancy, or Divination by Birds, was, among the Greeks,
the fame with Augury among the Rowmens.
Ar Angola and Congo in the Ea/i-Indies, wooden Idols, re-
fembling Negroes, are erected in the midft of their Towns, which
they daily worfhip. Tis their Belief they are never fick, but
when
* Atlas Afi a page 662.
OF SERPENTS.
when their Idols are angry with them; therefore to appeafe them,
they pour at their Feet the Wine of Palms. They wath, paint,
and new cloath their Dead, and bury with them Meat, Drink,
and fome of their Goods, and fprinkle the Grave with the Blood
of Goats. ‘Fheir Priefts are in fuch high Efteem, that they think -
Plenty and Famine, Life and Death, are in their power *.
Tue old Inhabitants of Virginia believed many Gods, but
' one principally, who made the reft....and that the Woman:
was made before the Man, and propagated by the Help of one
of the inferior Gods. The Natives are nthropomorphites, giving,
ro their Gods. the Forms of Men..... When they go abroad,
they carry their Gods about with them, and in Matters of Doubt
afk Counfel of them. Much of their Devotion confifts in howl-
ing and dancing about Fires, with Rattles in their Hands..
Quere, Whether this Cuftom be not the Original of Caftanets or
Snappers in Dancing +?
ANOTHER Inftance of monftrous Degeneracy, we have a--
mong the Phenjcians, who offer’d yearly Sacrifices to Saturn of
young Infants; and in the Temple of Venus, practifed not only:
Whoredom, but the moft unnatural Sin of Sodomy alfo; yea,.
by the Laws of their Religion, were bound to proftitute their
Daughters to Venus, before they married them :. In their Temple
the Women who refufed to be fhaved, were obliged to yield up.
their Honour to Strangers for one day.
In the Country, now called New Spain, the old Inhabitants
would neither eat nor drink, till they had caft towards the Sun,,
fome part of their Food; nor would they fmell a Flower, with-
out throwing up in the Air fome Leaves of it, thereby acknow-
ledging the Gods to be their great Benefactors: Tho’ this be ri--
diculous, yet having an Air of religious Gratitude, it is com-
mendable. Among other Idols ador’d at Mexico, they had one
called Vetzzliputzh, placed: in an azure colour’d Chair, with Ser--
pent’s Heads at each Corner.
Yea the Pagans, to authorize their own Crimes, and juftify
their vicious Lives, have conftituted licentious, drunken, vicious:
Gods, &c. Inftances of this kind we have in their religious In-
ftitutions, as the Saturnalia of the Romans, which were Feafts:
facred to the God Saturn-: This Featt was.obferved in December,.
at
* See Purchas. + Hackluit ia Purchas.
239)
240
A NATURAL HISTORY, &<,
at firft kept for one day, then for three days, and afterwards for
feven days. So facred was this Feftival, that while it lafted, no
Criminals were to be executed, no War to begin.... And yet at
the fame time, a Sanction was given to univerfal Debauchery; all
Rules of Virtue and common Decency were intirely banifhed, and
all things run into a wild Scene of Diftraftion and Lewdnefs, and
all this under the Umbrage of doing Honour to their Gods*.
Tue fame Game was acted in the Lupercalian Feafts, inftitu-
ted in honour of the God Pan (under the fhape of a Goat) whofe
Priefts, on the Morning of the Feaft, ran naked thro’ the Streets,
ftriking the married Women they met, on the Hands and Belly
with S¢raps cut out of Goats Skins, which was held an Omen,
promifing Fruitfulnefs, and happy Deliveries.
ISHAut only add the Bacchanalian Feafts, celebrated in ho-
nour of Bacchus, the God of Wine, and Mafter of the Revels;
fometimes called Orgza --, from a Greek Word that fignifies Anger
and Rage, becaufe in the Celebration of it, People acted in fo raging
and furious a manner, as if they had been abfolutely diftra@ted.
Thefe religious Feafts were not only encumber’d witha great num-
ber of Ceremonies, but attended with moft netorious Diffolutenefs;
for Men and Women metat them, all naked, except their Heads
and Hips, that were fhaded with Vine Leaves.
THE Women, who were inftalled Priefteffes, during this Feaft,
ran thro’ the Streets, and other Places, cover’d with Tyger’s Skins,
Scepters in one Hand, and Torches in the other, howling and roar-
ing out the Praife of Bacchus, with Hair difhevell’d, dangling about
their Shoulders. They were call’d Menades from their Madnefs,
Thyades from their Rage, Bacche from their Intemperance.
THe Poets tell us, that in the Bacchanalian Train, were a
Croud of Nymphs and Naiades, a fort of Heathen Divinities ; fome
crown’d with Ivy, their Hair loofe, and intermix’d with Snakes,
clothed with the Skins of Beafts, and girt about with large Serpents,
and running frantick in the Woods and Mountains.
In fhort, their facred Games, Feiftivals, and Sacrifices, were
little more than dranken Banquets, no¢turnal Revels, tumultuous
Dancings, all wild, ridiculous and extravagant.
_“ Uno die... . trium dierum.... feprem dizrum.... Bellum fumere nefas ha-
bitum———. Macrooii opera, Londini, A.D. 1694. p. 155, 16c, 168.
t 7Opy4-
Fd aN GES:
A.
A ONTTIA Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 4 ;) why call’d a flying
Serpent, - 81
Adam, why not made impeccable, —— — 7!
Converfe betwixt him and Angels, ———. 173
—— in Innocency put in mind of Death, ———— —— 181
—— his Fall defcribed by Pagans, 182, 3
———— by Mabhometans, ———--— —— 184
Adder ; fee Viper. (the Figure, Plate 1.)
Agnafen Serpent,
Air, ador’d by Pagans, —=—— ———ewms 2110
Alexander the Great, and Alexander the gee — — _ 140
Amodytes Serpent, deferib’d, (Sea pee
Amphisbena, a two-headed Serpent, defcrib'd, ‘=| 72
— Inftances of one in Oxfordpire, and in Chiapa in
ee 132
America, —— -
Ambua Serpent, _ === 107
Ameiva Serpent, se — 122
Americina, ——— —_——— —— 122
Anacandia Serpent, —_——_ —
Ants, their Penetration, ——— a 8
— in America great Mafter- Builders, —_—— Seale
—— Remarkable Sorts in the Ea/t-Indies, 8
“inguis laqueus, or the enfnaring Serpent, 136
Animals, tarn’d into Gods by Pagans, -—_ 51g
Their Adoration ridicul’d by fome of themielves, 215, 236,
a3,
Ti Apollo,
TN y Dye ex,
Apollo, catechis’d for his dubious Anfwers, — 77
——-— His She-Priet, ee sd ihid.
Apotheofis, or Wencaion defcrib’d, —— 223
Afp, (the Figure, Plate 2,) defcribed, — 59
-— Its Forefight, ee 7a
— A Poem on the Afp and its Poifon, es 6r
-— Highly venerated among the Exyptians, — 70
Ge: Serpent, oe ——. 134
Bafilisk one (the Figure, Plate 3.) defcrib’d, — 78
why call’d King of Serpents, ——— 79
(African, Plate 3.)
Battle of the Gods ————E 212
Bees, (the Figure, Plate 5.) their Sagacity, great Geometricians, 8
-—— Their Sting defcrib’d, oo 148
Birds, why fome here only in Winter, and others only in Summer, 7
Biobi, or green Serpent defcrib’d, 103
Bibera Ser pent, — ee 107
Bitin Serpent, 137
Blowing Serpent, ——< = 130
Boignacu Serpent, very beautiful, ——_—_—. SS IGb
Boytiapua Serpent, — — 108
——— An Inftrument of Conjuration, ——-I09
Bom/fnake Serpent, — 109
Boicupecanga Serpent, prickle-back’d, Se eT EO
Boitiapo Serpent, a 117
Brochet de Torre, ot Land-pike, — es 124
Brim/ftone Snake, ——. — —-__130
&
Cabiri, \chara€teriz’d, oo Si
Caudi ‘onant, or Rattle-Snake, (the Figure, Plate 7.) defcrib’d, gt
— Its Wounds and Cures, 92
Camelion, (the Figure, Plate 5.) defcrib’d ; chew reafon whee it appears
ina change of Colours, SS 96
——— Why call’d a living Skin, SS SED
Canina Serpent, defcrib’d, —- — 103
———:A Domettick Animal, —= 104
Caminana Serpent, — — — 108
Carapobeba, ee 122
%
Cecilia
be Ne. Dt. Ee XS
Cacilia Serpent defcrib’d, why call’d blind, — 80
Cencris Serpent defcrib’d, why call’d miliary, 80,1
Cera/ftes, (the Figure, Plate 1.) defcrib’d, the Executioner of Juftice,
Cheha)
Ceylon, a Land of Delights, 113
Ceylonic Hotambeia Serpent, ———- — 115
Chickens, produc'd by artificial Heat, —_——_——. 6, 147
Chaftity conjugal, how try’d, 55
Charming of Serpents, various Inftances, — 62, 3
of Rats, a remarkable Inftance in Germany, —65
of Serpents, by a Wand, —— 65
Cheefé, an odd Cuftom in Antiquity about it, — 129
Chicken Snake, ene
Cherubims, Emblems of Mercy and Juttice, —— 175,6
Chrift’s Death, publith’d before that of Adam, —-_1180
Cleopatra, her own Executioner by a Serpent, -—— 34, 60, 61
Cloth, wath’d in Fire, —— thas 95
Cobres Capellos Serpent, defcrib’d, a go
Colour Green, why hated by the Turks, ae 108
—— Blue, why hated by the Perfians, ae 109
Cordylus, a noxious Reptile, —E oki) MOVE
Corn Snake, ao 129
Crocodile, (the Figure, Plate 5.) defcrib’d at large, — 118
eats Stones, are — ibid.
- venerated in Egypfr, ——— ibid.
—— the occafion of a War, ——_—_—. ibid,
—— a Judge of Controverfies, —— 119°
the manner of deftroying it, _ 120
Symbol of the Deity, —._ 178
Creation, a Poem, ee ——__.. 162
Cuckold, its Origin, fast ded 54.
Cuckow Spittle, Grafhoppers hatch’d in it, eS 108
Cucurijuba, a Serpent montftrous, — 110
D.
Darknefs, the Deftruction of Colours, —_——. 71
Demons explain’d, ae —. 205
Devil ador’d, a 236, 238
Diftempers cur’d by manual Touch, GO
Dipjas Serpent, defcrib’d ; its Wounds bring incurable Thirft, 85
li2 Dogs,
PO oe ay BA XY
Dogs, faperiour to Men in the Senfe of Smelling, —_— 66
——— the manner of Senfation philofophically explain’d, — 67
Providence vindicated in that matter, —
Dopou Serpent, 133
Dragons defcrib’d, various Sorts and Forms, —— 74
snasalueote one flain by Gozon, Knight, by a ftrange con-
trivanice,
seams et Laisa
——_— another flain by the Roman Army, 76
Dragon, Pythian, Guardian of the Delphick Oracle, — ibid.
Dragons, Guardians of Treafures, —ae 78
winged, defcrib’d, (the Figure, Plate2.) — 192
Alithiopian, (the Figisre, Plate =P
Druina Serpent, deferib’d, — — 83
E.
Eagles, how they take thew Prey, a 145
Ecatoth, or Serpent of the Wind, —— 135
Higgs, the reafon of Propagation by them, — 5
——— the Method wonderful, oe ibid.
Egg, Symbol of the World, ee 6
Higgs hatch’d in Ovens, the Young-ones generally imperfect, ibid.
myfterious Egg.
Heg, a durprizing Compound, Se 128
the White of it a moft fingular Menftruum, — vid,
how redue’d to the likenefs of Poifon,
— ibid,
Egyptians, a People of Contradiction, SE 60
whipp'd their inattentive Gods, — ---—--68
Elepbantia Serpents, why fo call’d, —— 86
Elops Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3 ’) deferib’d, — 84.
Elephants, Creatures of great Bulk, —— 86
fubje&t to Refentment, "Inftances of it, = 87
a Battle betwixt them and Serpents, -_— gi
Enchantment by noxious Herbs, &c. 47
Ethetulla Serpent, = 113
Eve, how fhe came to converfe with the Serpent, — 174.
~— her Converfe with it before the Account of Mo/és very probable,
Iv}
~- a Negative would have preferv’d hes Innocence, —= 179
3 EF. Faith,
rN BD Ee
F,
Faith, the Magnet of Magicians,
Sa 6
Fafcinating Eyes, ——— = pn ee a
Fifh, how they breathe in Water, tet 1
Fire, ador’d, — — 211, 236
Funerals, their firtt Inftitution, eee 181
G.
Generation equivocal exploded, —____ 4
Ghalghulawa Serpent, —— ats 114
Giraupiagara Serpent, ——— 108
Gobe Moujes, —e —— 124
Gods, Men transformed into them, —— 201
— inanimate Things turn’d into ‘them, -— 207
Goddeffes, Women transform’d into them, — 206
Golden Calf, —— — 214
Grotto di Cani, a particular Account of it, a 6
2 ?
Experiments made in it ‘by Mr. Addifon, 6
Grotto de i Serpi, a remarkable fubterraneous Cavern, and Hofpital
for particular Difeafes, — 38
Ground Rattle-Snake, pL 126
Griffin defcrib’d, 14.
Guaku, or Lyboya Serpent defcrib’d, one of the Tot mon{trous,
102
H.
Harus Serpent, —— 138
Heathens, their Fictions about Punifhments in Hell, — 49
their Opinion about Heaven, — 50
Here. litary Right, the Title, how try ‘d, 56
Hemorrhous, (the Figure, Plate 1.) deferib’d ; 3 its Wounds force the
Blood out thro’ every Pore of the Body, $7
Horfe-Tail, a Turki/b Standard, the Original of it, — 8a
Hooded, or Monk-Serpent, 11s
Horn Snake, — 126
Hornet, (the Figure, Plate pi) AGRE d, ee 148
Hydrus, or Water-Snake, oem 426, 141, 2
1. faponians
Ne De E 2m
I.
“aponians, their way of punifhing Chriftians, =
‘Sfararaka Serpent, deferib’d, a
Facore Lizard,
Lhiara Ser peas defcrib’d,
Sbitcbaca Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 4.) defcrib’d, —
Lbibobova Serpent defcrib’d.
Jbizacoan Serpent, Cure of its Wound very ES, =
Idolatry, the Original of it,
———— more ancient than. Image-Worfhip, —
the Incentives to it, —
‘feboya Serpent, --- — ---
Images, why Laéan call’d them Gods, LAT GI HETe
47
103
99
102
106
197
198
199
se
Indian Prince, a very remarkable Saying of his about Spanifb hice:
Infeéts, \ittle, great Executioners, --- ---
various Inftances,
Iguanna Serpent deferib’ d, —
tron, one of the hardeft Metals, yet the moft brittle,
Ijrael, why punith’d by Serpents, --- ---
why punith’d by fiery Serpents,
K.
Kakaboya Serpent, ---- —
Kingdom won by an Heroick Anfwer, ----
King Snake, ---- ---
—— Sathes made of its Skin, tt Bl
Koko Serpent, a Reprefentation of the French Monarch,
Kukuruki Serpent, defcrib’d, ----
L.
Lancafbire Beauties, ——
Lacertus viridis, or ‘green Lizard, ———
Les Anoles Serpent, ~ -—-
ies Rogier (Serpents 1) ) Wek eee a
Light, how the Senfation of it is produc’d, ———
all Colours depend upon it, —
Long black Snake, a —
133
139
ibid.
102
130
188
ibid.
106
58
129
ibid.
58,9
99
Yr Ne De EB xX
M,
Magical Balls, — ves VOnR eae 8 46,7
Magick Ast, the Original of it, eee 68
——— its Degeneracy, —— 68,9
——— furprizing Inftances of magick Wit, —— 69
Magick Egg, — ibid.
Magicians, St. Matthew’s wife Men in their time, — 70
Manima Serpent, monttrous, —— III
Malcargbeta Serpent, —$_—_—. tne 113
Malpopon Serpent, | a tie ibid,
Manballa Serpent. cone IIA
Maboujas, —_— 123
an Emblem of the old Serpent, _—_ 124
Macacoth, an horned Serpent, ——$—$<_ 132
Marine Dragon, or Serpent, ——. 143
Men, Giants and Pygmies among ’em, — ----~ 16
Mexico, two unparallel’d Inftances of Cruelty, one by the Mexican,
the other by Spani/h Priefts, — 100, I
Milk, its wonderful Nature defcrib’d, 128
Mithridate, the Original of its Name, ---- 40, 5
Monoxillo, or mucronated Serpent. = === 13
Musk Serpent, --- 116
Musk Rats, and Musk Cats, eee ibid.
Musk, a fhort Account of it, oe 16, 17
Mufi ch, its wonderful Effe@s on the Mind and the Body in ea
remarkable Inftances. — 156 to 160
—— Conjectures about medicinal Cures by it, -~-- 164.
N.
Natrix Torquata Snake, (the Figure, Plate 5.) — 142
Nintipolonga Serpent, ---- --- 1I4
AVOya Serpent, eee i meee go
O.
Obfidian Stones, Looking-Glaffes made of them, --- 105
Opium, the Darling of the Turks, — 21
Orators, as well as Poets enthufiattical, — 64.
Oracular Anf{wers, various Opinions about them, a--- 77
Ozus Serpent, nae -e-- --- 133
P. Pareas
PsN Dn) aX,
a
P.
Pareas Serpent: defcrib’d, — aan 84
Paper, that is incombuftible, Sees ae iis 95
Parrot, a rational Dialogue betwixt it and Prince Maurice, 144, 5
Parthians, the beft Fighters when retreating,
-- 132
Paradife, Self-denial a Duty there, --- --- 180
Threatnings neceffary there, --- -- 181
Pagan Fables founded on the Writings of Mofes, --- 182
Perfian Kings, their Recipe for an eafy Death, --- 70
People, without Fraud; — --- 125
——- have no Name for if, — --- ibid.
Pimbera Serpent, defcrib’d, ---- go
Pluto, his Attendants and Executioners cover’d with Snakes, as the
Harpies, Furies, Cerberus, Chimera, a 47, 48, 49
Poifon, vegetable Inftances of it, — 19, 20
-~——~ Mineral, various Inftances in roe frorn Copper, Mercury,
Tin, Lead, --- 22,23
—— Animal, Debates about the Seat oF it in int Serpents, 26,
—-—— various Remedies for it, as Oil, experimented on one Wil.
liam Oliver, bit by a Serpent; Lzchen Cinereus Terreftris, Ve-
nice Treacle, and feveral Vegetables, Sc. --- 29,30, 31,145
———~ one Drop of it a Match for a Sea of Blood, --- 32
WV MEN) NOE dangerous,
33
—— exhauttible in ‘Serpents by quick repeated Acts, but foon
recruited, — = === 35
Poetical Apology for a Sot, --- ass 733 4.
Polonga Serpent, defcrib’ d, —- --- < gS
Priefis their Genius for Cruelty. See Mexico.
Prujffians and Lithuanians, Serpent-Worthippers, ~ 226
R.
Rattle-Snake. Vid. Caudifonant.
Red-belly Snake, — — 126
Red-back Snake, — —— 127
Rivers ador’d, — a 210
Rubetarian Serpent, --- --- --- sheep
233 aR loud and pretty, —- — ibid.
S.. Sandals,
PON? DO Eri xX!
fi LES Bh ‘ ice
Saudals, ufed by the Ladies; Sees Saas
Salamander, (the Figure, Plate 5,) deferibed, © ———— 92
— ~how-faid to-live-in-the Fire ~- —-~-~ >» — 93
Corvine’s Experiment upon one, —_—- Q4
Salamander’s. Wool, ——— ———_ 95
—___—.. Shrouds: made. of it. for Kings) ——-—- 95.
Satan, why punith’d- under the Figure of a Serpent, 185
Scorpions, (the Figure, Plate 7,) Countries-deftroy’d by-them, as in
LEthiopia, Amycla a Town-in- Italy, Pefcara an ancient City in
Italy, India, —$__—_ _—_ Hise A
———— their various Kinds, Sizes, and’ malignant Nature, —87, 8
the Perfians- curfe by them, 88
Scytale Serpent;-(the Figure, Plate 2,) defcribed, _ — 70
— an Agoresate of charming Ce, ——- 71
Scolopendra, (the Figure,-Plate 5, i SS 15
Ser ee general-Defcription of them,
-their- Mode of Propagation viviparous and oviparous, 4, 5
——— their Sagacity, with ———— to their different Lodgments,
6,7, 172
oo Peers Winter, fleep with open Eyes, ee 7,
their Enemies, vz. Eagle, Hawk, Stork, Ibis, Ichneumon,
Magaure, and fome "Vegetables, 8) Sig gei I
Duft, not their original Food. A oral Refle€tion upon
— — 12
——— their Food, which they {wallow whole, -————._ 12, 13
— their Size, fome monttrous, others remarkably fmall, 13,
; IA; 1655 165-146
———— their Apparatus for Motion curious, —-
-—— their Skin an elegant ‘Compolition, — 1
of {pecial Service to Mankind, of great Ufe in Phyfick,
various at home and abroad, See 36, 7
———— the common Food of many-Nations in Europe, Afia, A-
| frica, America, _ - - 38 to 4o
— Inftruments of divine and human Vengeance,
Fewifh Camp infefted with them, 44
Victory gain’d by them on Sea and Land, — 46
Serpent, its Conteft with St. Pau/, — an
K
Sepsy.
IX Na Do EW
Seps, (the Figure, Plate 1,) why call’d the putid Serpent, 58
Serpens Indicus Coronatus, _—_— —_—_—- 112
Serpens Putorzus, — — 113
The Sea-Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 6.)
Serpent de Boa, a — 144
Mittrefs of Serpents, (the Figure, Plate 6.)
Serpent, an Account of a remarkable one in Lanca/bire, 144
Serpent in Paradife, various Opinions about it, 168
American Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3.)
Serpent brazen, IgI, 2
prefigur’d Chrift, 194
Drael, why cured by it, 195
Serpents, the Adoration of them, 216 to 227
Reafons for that Worfhip, —_—_—_— 228
Worthippers of "em among Chriftians, ———— 229
Shrew-Serpent,
— = i1si
Shechina detcrib’d. — —_— —— 189
Srlence, a Pythagorick Rudiment, —_- -_—_ 112
the Safety of Venice, — 2
Sin, its firft Entrance, oe ae 168
Sleep, a living Death, Ea 70
Snake common, (the Figure, Plate 4.) defcrib’d, 85
Spiders, (the Figure, Plate 5.)
Black, (the Figure, Plate 4,) their various Kinds, 149
— their Autumn Webs, —— ———= 1150
American, 150
Stellio, - 123
Stupid Serpent, ato =< 38
——-~— a living Loadftone, as defcrib’d by fome, 136
Sun and Moon, chief Deities of the Pagans, ———-209
Swamp Snakes, oo = ER ney A
£55
Tarcibeva Serpent, —_——_ ——— -— 106
Tapayaxts Serpent, — -__ — 121
Taraguira, —_——— == rae
Taraquico Aycuraba Serpent, ———— — 122
Tapayaxin Serpent, —— —_ 137
Tapayaxin,
TaNu Do EX
Tapayaxin Serpent, the Friend of Man, —~ 137
Tamacolin Serpent, of the Toad kind, 138
Tame and tractable Serpent, LESS Say TAO} -
Tarantula, (the Figure, Plate 7,) its Poifon and Cure by Mufick;
the Manner how, 151 to 156
Teuthlacokanqui, in Mexico, call’d the Fortrefs of the Serpents, de-
{crib’d, 100
Tetzawhcoat! Serpent, ——$—— 104
Terpomongo Serpent, jie ee elauls Tat
a Symbol of Friendfhip, —_——- — ibid.
Tejugnacu, ——- es ETS
Tejunbana Serpent, — pe ASE 122
Tetzancoath, or the rare Serpent, — — — 139
Teraphim, explain’d, —— = 202
Tleora, or Tetloa Serpent, ——— a 140
—— an Inhabitant of the Mountains, pi aati —— 141
Toads, as large as Cats and Dogs, ——— —- 138
Tzicatlinan Serpent, ———- a — 132
the Darling of the Ladies, — ibid,
: =
Vegetation, none without Air, — _—— 3
Vegetables, fleep in Winter, ee —_- 7,8
- worfhipped, ee ————— 212
Veétis, —— = = DT
Vipers, difterent from the Snake, aes 52
—-— a Battle betwixt one and a Magpye, -_-___ 52
—— Battle betwixt one and a Dog, ——_——_ 53
——_—— don’t eat after they are taken, ——_ —_ 33
112
Vipera Indica Tricolor Major,
Vipera Zelanica Minor, Maculis eleganter Variegata, —-—— 112
Unifon, its Wonders. —— 160, 1
W.
Wafps, (the Figure, Plate 7,) defcrib’d, — — 148
Wepelon Serpent, _—_ —_—_— ae
Woman with two Horns, — — —— 54
Women warlike, — —— — iz
—r- the hard Condition of their Marriage, —- —- — ibid.
Words,
Ty Nii DY EV Xd
Words, their Efficacy, Inftance 6 it in Cafar, ———=" = 63, 4
Wiss, Inftances- of Execution by. thern,) » _— 1345 5.
=
Worship of hurtful-€reatures, why, |, 9 === 233.
of different Animals i in Eaypt, « the Renin; se 234
YeHow Snake, seems
A ag bi 130
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